As if divorce isn’t painful on its own, the holidays are often a twist of the knife for divorced parents. Devising a holiday custody schedule can be a rocky process, especially if you and your spouse don’t see eye-to-eye. Plus, your children involved will surely feel the tension of revamped holiday traditions.
Thankfully, divorce mediation could be the answer to splitting your holidays in the most agreeable fashion. Discover how mediation allows for customizable Orange County custody solutions, and call our offices to mediate towards a preferred parenting agreement.
Holiday Parenting Plans
It’s never too early to establish a parenting plan for the holidays. In fact, coming to these agreements ahead of time is suggested so that a dispute doesn’t arise down the line. An effective parenting plan will consider your normal schedule, plus vacation and holiday time.
At The Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we wrap holiday time into broader parenting plans so that you know exactly what to expect in the months to come. In California, an overwhelming amount of cases result in a 50/50 time split, which is always the most painful phase for divorcing parents.
Splitting Holiday Time
When we draft holiday parenting plans, such as time allocations for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, our decisions often depend on family tradition. Your children may be used to spending time with your family on Christmas Eve and your spouse’s family on Christmas Day. In this case, we’d plan for the children to be with you from noon to noon on Christmas Eve, and vice versa in your spouse’s case. For Hanukkah celebrants, Hanukkah custody and arranging night plans are very important.
It’s important to note that splitting visitation time, especially during the holidays, is an especially painful part of the divorce process. Still, splitting custody in Orange County is never black and white. At the end of the day, there’s no cookie-cutter holiday plan that’ll work for every family – because every family is unique in their own right.
Every Case Is Different
Not every family dresses up for Halloween, and not all children are raised to celebrate Christmas. In other words, some holidays mean more or less depending on the family at hand. This is why a cookie-cutter holiday parenting plan doesn’t exist. In these situations, you need custom solutions – not a mutually destructive decision by a judge. Thankfully, divorce mediation offers flexible solutions tailored to your family’s needs rather than a decision from a judge who knows little about your family dynamic.
If you’re approaching the holidays without a parenting plan in place, you could be at risk for future conflicts. With a trusted divorce mediator, you can reach a mutually beneficial holiday plan that caters to each and every member of the family. Contact our offices for help drafting your parenting agreements and holiday Orange County custody plans.
Mediate Your Orange County Custody Agreements
At the Law Offices of Jennifer Owens, we revel in the power of choice. When spouses face divorce, they’re presented with a slew of decisions with a handful of potential outcomes. Our attorneys are believers in the best possible outcome, where a former couple chooses peace over destruction so that they can finally move on to their next chapter. No matter your desired path – mediation, a negotiated settlement, or even litigation – The Law Offices of Jennifer Owens will help you achieve the best possible outcome by reaching a settlement that keeps all involved parties in mind. Visit our website to review our family law services, or contact us online for a free consultation.