Though Christmas is still weeks away is it too early to think about child arrangements over the festive period? Though it may seem obvious to you as to what the arrangements should be, the other parent may have different ideas and leaving matters to the last minute can increase tensions and uncertainties.
There is no set ‘right’ answer as to what the arrangements should be as different patterns of contact suit each family, but usually arrangements are alternated each year to enable each parent to spend time every other year with the children over the particularly contested times such as Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Boxing day.
Are there any times that you know are going to be sticking points? If it is the first year of new arrangements then identifying possible areas which could be contentious early and agreeing contact can help avoid last minute difficulties. When considering contact arrangements it can help to think of them as a whole, so not just Christmas but the holidays throughout the year. This can help give the bigger picture and avoid having to have discussions every few months about arrangements. It may be that the parent who does not have Christmas day one year will have an alternative ie – New Years day or Easter Sunday.
There are times when agreement simply cannot be reached and mediation has not worked. Where an application to the court is required, if it is made too close to Christmas there is no guarantee that the court will list your application or determine the matter before the Christmas period.
If the court has to make a determination in respect of a child then it will make the order that is in the court’s view is best for the child.
Having Christmas contact arrangements in place in advance will tick one thing off your ever growing list of things to sort prior to the festive holidays and hopefully leave the last minute anxieties to having to find that last elusive gift rather than worrying about the child arrangements.
For more information on children matters or to find out how we can help you, please contact our Family Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.