“We were sitting in the carpool line, the windows down, and my daughter humming along to the radio when my husband texted me: ‘We need to talk.’ I knew what that meant. I also knew summer was six weeks away, and my whole world was about to shift.”
If this story feels familiar, you’re not alone.
Every year, countless parents find themselves contemplating or initiating divorce just as school lets out. For many families, spring is more than just blooming flowers and baseball games — it’s decision time. The end of the school year can act as a natural pivot point for restructuring a family’s future. And if you’re considering divorce, timing matters — especially when children, custody, finances, and summer transitions are in play.
At Gibb Law Firm, we’ve walked alongside many Utah families through this exact season, and if you’re weighing your options, this guide is for you. Below, we’ll break down five critical things to know before summer break begins — and why taking early action could make this difficult process more manageable for everyone involved.
1. Summer Custody & Visitation: Why You Should Plan Ahead
Summer break may be your child’s favorite time of year, but it can be the most complex for separated or divorcing parents. Long vacations, week-long camps, extended family visits… summer requires flexibility and foresight.
In Utah, temporary custody orders can set the groundwork for summer schedules, especially if you’re not yet fully divorced. Courts encourage stability for children, which means both parents should know who gets which weeks, how transportation will be handled, and whether out-of-state trips are permitted under existing or pending orders.
Key Tip: Start mapping out potential summer custody arrangements early — even if your divorce isn’t final. Judges appreciate proactive parenting, and it gives your child time to adjust to the idea that summer might look a little different this year.
Example: “Last summer, I scrambled to book a last-minute camp just to get a break. This year, I’m working with my lawyer to set a consistent two-week-on, two-week-off schedule with my ex. It’s not perfect, but it gives our daughter structure, which means everything.”
2. Start Gathering Financial Documents Now
Divorce is as much a financial uncoupling as it is emotional. To ensure a fair division of assets, you’ll need a clear picture of your financial life — and that starts with documents.
Before the school year ends and life speeds up, take some quiet moments to gather:
- Tax returns (past 3 years)
- Bank and investment statements
- Mortgage and loan documents
- Credit card statements
- Pay stubs and employment records
- Business financials (if applicable)
Not only does this save time later, but it also gives your attorney the ammunition needed to secure appropriate support and asset division.
Why it matters now: Summer often comes with extra spending (vacations, childcare, back-to-school prep), and the sooner you understand your financial position, the better prepared you’ll be for short- and long-term transitions.
Real Talk: “I was so overwhelmed emotionally, I almost missed that our joint account was being drained. My lawyer caught it, but only because I handed over our bank statements early. That one step protected my ability to provide for my kids.”
3. Temporary Orders: What They Can (and Can’t) Do for You
Divorces can take months. In the meantime, temporary orders offer a way to protect your day-to-day life until final decisions are made.
In Utah, you can request temporary orders for:
- Custody and visitation
- Child and spousal support
- Use of the marital home or car
- Payment of joint bills
- Restraining orders (in applicable cases)
These orders carry legal weight and help avoid ambiguity. If you and your spouse aren’t on the same page, a temporary order can enforce boundaries and prevent conflict.
But let’s be clear: they’re not a magic fix.
They don’t resolve the entire case, and courts expect both parties to continue working toward a permanent resolution. They also aren’t instantaneous, which is why acting early, before the summer rush of cases, is strategic.
Pro Tip: A well-prepared temporary order can offer peace of mind during a chaotic season. Talk to your attorney about filing early, so your family has some structure heading into summer.
4. Talking to Your Kids: Timing, Honesty, and Age-Appropriate Clarity
One of the hardest parts of divorce? Telling your kids.
As tempting as it is to shield them from every detail, children are observant — they already know something is shifting. The best gift you can give them right now is clarity.
Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Pick a calm moment, not during a crisis or right before a school event.
- Keep it simple and united, if possible. A joint conversation (even if difficult) reassures kids that both parents still love and support them.
- Avoid blame. Use phrases like “we’ve decided” and focus on the plan going forward.
- Give them space. Kids progress in stages. Let them ask questions, even if it’s days or weeks later.
Yes — this timing matters. Talking with your kids before summer break gives them time to adjust, ask questions, and settle into the new rhythm without the added pressure of school deadlines or classroom gossip.
What One Parent Said: “I was dreading the talk, but we did it the week after spring break. It gave the kids time to cry, yell, and finally ask, ‘So does this mean I still get to go to grandma’s this summer?’ Once they had a plan, they could breathe. So could I.”
5. Mediation May Be the Summer Lifesaver You Didn’t Expect
Not every divorce needs to be a courtroom drama. Utah courts often require at least one mediation session before trial, and for good reason. Mediation can:
- Save you thousands in legal fees
- Reach agreements faster
- Reduce stress and hostility
- Give both parties more control over outcomes
- Be scheduled more flexibly (which is crucial in summer!)
As summer approaches, court calendars get crowded, making traditional hearings harder to schedule. Mediation allows you to work around vacations, kids’ camps, and job schedules without losing momentum in your case.
Real Life Wins: We’ve seen clients go from complete stalemate to signed parenting plans in a single mediation session, just because both parties had space to be heard.
Client Quote: “We were deadlocked over summer custody. Mediation helped us stop arguing long enough to realize — we both just wanted a good summer for our kids. That shifted everything.”
Wrapping It All Up: Clarity Over Chaos
If you’re thinking about divorce this spring, don’t wait until the school bell rings in June to get serious about planning.
The weeks between now and summer break are golden for organizing your finances, preparing your children, requesting the right legal protections, and exploring mediation options. And the sooner you begin, the more smoothly your transition — and your children’s summer — will go.
At Gibb Law Firm, we understand the emotional weight of these decisions. We’re not here to rush you — we’re here to guide you with empathy, clarity, and the legal know-how that puts your family’s future first.
Whether you need help filing for divorce, creating a parenting plan, or just understanding your rights, we’re ready when you are.
Ready to talk? Schedule a free, confidential consultation with Gibb Law Firm today. We’ll walk you through your options and help you build a strategy that supports your goals — and your family.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact us to discuss the specifics of your situation.
