It can be tough to split your parenting time with your former spouse. Once you determine visitation schedules and custody arrangements in your divorce agreement, there is one potentially thorny issue that still needs to be worked out. We’re talking about making a holiday schedule. Dividing up the holidays with your former spouse can be stressful, but this is a necessary step. A Tazewell County child custody lawyer can help you accomplish this.
What Should Be Considered When Making a Holiday Schedule?
There are some important factors to consider when making a holiday schedule for your kids. It’s not just about what you want or which holiday you prefer to have. You also need to think about things like:
- You and your ex’s work schedules and other obligations
- The age of your kids
- Any extracurriculars or sports the kids are involved in
- The distance between you and your ex’s homes
- Any special needs of your kids
- The religious beliefs of both parents
- School, community, and social events
Then you can decide how these holidays should be split up. Do you want to have a set schedule, where you get Christmas each year and your ex gets Easter? Or do you want to alternate, so you trade holidays each year? If you live close together, you both may even be able to spend half of a holiday with your kids. Carefully weigh all of your options.
What Other Days Should Be Included in a Holiday Schedule?
There may be days other than the traditional holidays when one parent wants to spend time with their children. A good example would be birthdays. Whether it’s a parent’s birthday or a child’s birthday, these days and who spends them with the kids should definitely be discussed. Also keep in mind that as your kids grow older, they might want to spend their special day with their friends too.
It’s also a good idea to consider other traditions or vacations that you regularly took as a family. If you know that your ex is going to want to take the kids to the beach for one week each year, factor that into your holiday schedule and schedule it along with a week where you want to go away with the kids. It’s also wise to consider school events, family traditions, and any other days that are special to you and your kids when finalizing the schedule.
What Can I Do If My Spouse Won’t Stick to Our Holiday Schedule?
The first step is to talk to them, but if they will not cooperate you may need to take legal action. A lawyer can help you enforce the holiday schedule you have made. If it needs to be renegotiated, we can help with that too.
Contact an Attorney
If you and your ex are struggling to agree on a holiday schedule or stick to one, then you may want some help. Contact Butler, Giraudo & Meister, P.C. to schedule a consultation with our team. We can help you address any child custody issues you have encountered.
