It happens every year in the family court business, separated parents fighting over where the kids will be for the holidays. The holiday season has its challenges to begin with, the stress or organizing get togethers, figuring out where people will be, traveling with the risk of bad weather, gift shopping that strains budgets, cold weather and darkness; it can be a tough time of year at the best of times. Adding conflict with the other parent over where the kids are going to be can turn an already busy and stressful season into a real nightmare.
As an attorney, my best advice to anyone with an ex or other parent who they need to share holidays with, come to an agreement one way or another, stay out of court, do not get lawyers involved if you don’t have to, even if that means giving a few extra hours or driving a few extra miles. Court is messy, stressful, expensive, and you do not want to be there if you can help it.
That being said, there are situations where you have no choice, where the other side is not willing to compromise or even talk about arrangements, or where the kids would be in real danger if they went with a certain parent. In those cases, you will need to involve the court, or at least threaten to involve the court to get the other side to come to the table. I hope that does not happen to you this season, but, if it does, contact a lawyer as soon as possible and do not wait to the last minute if you can help it.
Have a great holiday with your friends and family.
Ed