Around this time of year, many families are excitedly making plans for the holiday season. For separated families, making holiday arrangements can be stressful. If you’re a divorced parent with joint custody, you may be worried about figuring out a child custody schedule for the various holidays. Read on or reach out to one of our Morris County NJ Child Custody Attorneys today for more information.
WHAT ARE COMMON CHILD CUSTODY AGREEMENTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
There are various ways that parents can decide to handle holiday arrangements. It all depends on which holidays the parents find most important and how much they are willing to compromise. Possible solutions for holiday plans include:
- Splitting the day – If both parents want to see the child on the day of the holiday, parents can choose to split the day in half so that they both have an opportunity to celebrate with the child
- Scheduling the holiday twice – If one parent wants to celebrate with the child on the day of the holiday, the other parent can choose another day to celebrate with the child
- Alternating every other year – One parent can celebrate with the child one year and the other parent can celebrate with them the next so that they can take turns every year
- Assigning fixed holidays – If one parent celebrates a holiday that the other doesn’t, they can agree to let that parent celebrate with the child every year on that holiday
Parents can combine or alter any of these custody arrangements to create the best schedule that works for them and their children. When handling child custody arrangements, it’s important for parents to remember to put the child’s best interest first.
WHAT IF MY EX AND I CAN’T AGREE?
If two parents are unable to come to a reasonable custody agreement on their own, the court will simply have to decide for them. Both parents can make statements about why they believe their arrangement ideas to be best, and a judge makes the final decision from there. In child custody cases, the court will always rule in favor of the child’s best interests. New Jersey courts tend to favor 50-5o joint custody arrangements. Assuming both parents are not unfit, the judge’s ruling will likely allow the child to spend an equal amount of time with both parents.
If you’re in need of a trusted and highly qualified family lawyer, look no further! Contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark today to learn how our seasoned attorneys can help you.
