The holiday season can be a magical time for families, but for divorced or separated parents, managing holiday schedules can sometimes feel challenging. As life evolves, the parenting plan that initially worked may no longer align with your family’s needs. Here, we will explore practical steps to address holiday time-sharing conflicts while keeping your child’s best interests at the forefront.
Open and honest communication is the simplest way to resolve holiday scheduling conflicts. For instance, challenges may arise when holidays overlap, such as this year where Christmas coincides with the start of Hanukkah, and both parents may be scheduled to spend time with the child during this period. If your parenting plan does not account for these overlaps, consider collaborating to find a compromise. Options might include dividing the holiday or temporarily adjusting parenting time for one parent.
If you and your co-parent can’t agree on a change, you may need to seek a modification through the family court. In New Jersey, courts prioritize the best interests of the child when evaluating requests for custody or parenting time modifications, including those related to holiday schedules. A skilled attorney can review your existing time-sharing agreement and provide options to address the conflict before it escalates into a court matter.
In some cases, modifying the custody agreement might be necessary to prevent recurring holiday conflicts. An experienced family law attorney can help you navigate this process and advocate for a plan that reflects your child’s best interests while accommodating future holiday scheduling needs.
To ensure a smoother resolution, initiate these discussions early rather than waiting until the last minute to seek modifications.
At Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf, we understand the complexities parents face during the holidays. Whether you need to adjust your holiday schedule or make broader modifications to your custody agreement, our experienced attorneys are here to help. Call us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist with your family law needs this holiday season.