Learn How to Create a Custody Schedule That Covers the Major Holidays
Posted on: November 24, 2020
There are many challenging factors about creating a child custody plan that both parties can agree with. One of the most challenging things about it is agreeing on a schedule for the holidays. Keep reading to get tips from an experienced family law attorney. If you would like to schedule a consultation, call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 right away.
The Basics of a Child Custody Visitation Order
It is a good idea to have a very detailed visitation plan. This helps prevent future confusion or conflicts that could have negative impacts. In particular, make sure that the schedule includes information on where the child will be on all vacations, holidays, and special occasions. In most cases, you and the co-parent will be allowed to make your own agreement without the need for a court order – assuming you can come to an agreement.
Do Not Forget these Holidays and Special Days When Creating Your Order
When you draft the holiday visitation order, you should consider including New Year’s Day, MLK Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Easter, the school’s Spring Break, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day, the school’s winter break, New Year’s Eve, the child’s birthday, and the birthday of each parent.
Think too about other times that your child might not be in school, or days that are special to you in some way. Remember that a holiday will trump your regular visitation days, so if you regularly have your child on the weekends, but a holiday that your co-parent has custody on falls on the weekend, then the co-parent will have the child.
There Are Many Options for Schedule Holidays
If both parents live near each other, it can be much easier to schedule the holidays. For example, one parent can have certain holidays on even years and the opposite holidays in odd years. Three day weeks can be alternated or split in half. Or a holiday could be split in half too, so that the child spends Christmas Eve and morning with more parent and Christmas evening with the other. There are a countless number of options and any are fine – just try to find something that feels fair both for you and your co-parent.
Modification is Not Simple but it Is Possible
We strongly advise that you find something that you feel will work in the long run. Though it is possible to modify a custody agreement, if the other spouse does not sign off, you will need to convince a judge – and this can be difficult. They generally err on the side of not disrupting the child, so you will have to provide compelling evidence that there is a good reason to make a change.
No matter where you are in the process, you need an attorney on your side. You have found that attorney in Law Office of Michael L. Fell. Call us now at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation.
