Holidays are about spending quality time with your family. Understandably, most parents want to spend time with their children during the holidays. However, it can be difficult to decide who gets what holiday following a divorce or separation. Since the holiday season brings unique challenges for co-parents, it’s important to establish a holiday custody schedule. An effective parenting plan for these important days can alleviate stress for your children, ensuring they spend time with their loved ones and make happy memories. Please continue reading to explore the different types of holiday custody schedules available and how a knowledgeable Nassau County Child Custody Lawyer can help guide you through these complicated matters.
What Are the Different Types of Holiday Schedules?
A holiday custody schedule dictates when each parent will have custody of their children during the holidays and special occasions. Holiday custody agreements are typically included as part of a parenting plan, meaning once approved, the holiday schedule will be a legally binding contract. Failure to adhere to the terms of the agreement will result in significant consequences.
In most cases, co-parents decide to alternate holiday time annually. This option is popular because it allows each parent the opportunity to celebrate a specific holiday with their children every other year. Essentially, one parent celebrates the holiday in an even year, and the other in odd years. Another option is to divide the holidays equally, with a precise schedule for sharing time throughout the day. For instance, the children may spend the morning with one parent and the night with the other, then flip that schedule the next year. Furthermore, you can establish fixed holidays. It may make sense for one parent to always spend a particular holiday with their children as they value the holiday much more than the other.
How Do I Choose the Best Holiday Custody Schedule for My Family?
There are many ways to decide how you and your former spouse create a holiday child custody agreement. Each type of schedule comes with its advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to consider your unique circumstances and family dynamic. To determine the best type of holiday schedule for your family, you should consider the following factors:
- The age of your children
- The distance between parent’s homes
- Both parents’ work schedules
- Religious beliefs and traditions
- Child’s special needs
If you and your former spouse are amicable, you may consider spending the holidays together. This option can alleviate the stress of your children traveling. However, this is not a viable option if spending time would increase conflict and you are not on good terms. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may use a combination of the above-mentioned schedules.
To determine the best parenting plan for the holidays, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced lawyer from the Law Offices of Eyal Talassazan, P.C. who can help you negotiate a custody agreement that will serve your child’s best interests. Connect with our firm today to learn more about how we can assist you.
