How to Choose the Best Holiday Custody Arrangement for Your Particular Situation?
For many divorced parents, a holiday season can be a stressful time of year. Co-parenting requires two divorced parents to be able to communicate and focus on what is best for their children.
Communication and the ability to compromise are crucial when making holiday plans for your children after divorce. No matter how you may feel about your former spouse, you will have to put your hard feelings aside to avoid ruining the holidays for your children.
It is vital to understand which holiday custody arrangement works best for your particular situation when creating a parenting plan after divorce.
Comply with the Timesharing Agreement
If you are divorced, you most likely have a child timesharing agreement that outlines how you and your former spouse must share the holidays. However, disagreements are still not uncommon when it comes to making holiday plans for children after a divorce.
If your former spouse fails to comply with the timesharing agreement, speak with an experienced child custody attorney to protect your rights as a parent and help you find a mutually acceptable solution.
How is Time Divided Between Divorced Parents on Holidays?
Under the Florida Statutes Section 61.13, both parents must maintain a close and continuing parent-child relationship, which is why both parties are encouraged to spend an equal amount of time with their child during the holiday season.
A holiday custody arrangement depends on the parents’ unique circumstances. What works for one parent may not work for the other, which is why it is important to consider all pros and cons of different holiday custody arrangements.
If you are going through a divorce and need help with creating a timesharing or parenting plan that fits your particular circumstances, contact an Orlando child custody attorney.
Which Holiday Custody Arrangement is Best for You?
You and your spouse will have to choose a holiday custody arrangement that fits your particular situation. Common types of custody holiday arrangements include:
- Alternating the holiday. Many divorced parents prefer this type of arrangement. What it means is that each parent is allowed to have their child with them on holidays on alternate years. For example, if the mother spent Thanksgiving 2019 with her child, the father will have the child on Thanksgiving in 2020. In 2021, it will be the mother’s turn again.
- Splitting the holiday break in half. Another common custody holiday arrangement is to divide the holiday break equally between the parents. For example, the father would get the child from the last day at school until Christmas, and the mother would then spend the time with the child for the remaining half of the holiday break.
- Splitting the holiday. This one is a little less common. In this type of arrangement, the mother celebrates the first half of Thanksgiving (typically, until 4 pm), and then the father picks up the child to continue celebrations. However, this one may be impractical if the two parents live in different cities or states.
If you cannot decide which holiday custody arrangement is best for your particular situation, talk to an Orlando child custody attorney. Schedule a consultation with our family lawyer at the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee, P.A., by calling at 407-521-7171.
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