The holidays are always full of celebrations, school events, and get-togethers with family and friends. However, when you're involved in a divorce or child custody dispute, working out holiday schedules only gets more complex. To help you and your family better navigate this busy time of the year, here’s what you should know about scheduling holiday parenting time during a divorce or child custody matter.

Aim to Work Out the Details as Early as Possible

Family law courts are closed the week of Christmas and the week after, so if issues come up at the last minute, the courts can't intervene. Start planning holiday schedules as soon as possible, and you'll be sure to leave plenty of additional time in case the courts need to give their input and help iron out details. Waiting until the last minute could throw everything into disarray, leaving a parent without visitation when they may have special family celebrations already on the calendar.

Be Flexible When Arranging Parenting Time

If your temporary child custody orders are shared or one parent is allowed a specific amount of visitation, try to be flexible around the holidays. It only makes sense that you both want to spend quality time with the kids at this time of the year, so in the spirit of the season, try to work together. Compromise where you can, and don't use scheduling as a way to get back at your ex.

A Family Attorney Can Help

Don't hesitate to consult a child custody or divorce attorney should you run into issues scheduling holiday parenting time. A lawyer will file a legal motion well in advance of the holidays to ensure you get a fair shot at being with the kids. If need be, an attorney will address scheduling disputes in court and advocate for you and your time with the children.

Have a happy holiday season with the kids by your side, and bear the above factors in mind when setting up parenting schedules. If you need a lawyer's assistance at any stage of planning, trust the child custody and divorce attorneys at Lonneman & McMahan, PLLC. For over 30 years, they have been serving Hardin County, KY, residents in a variety of legal practice areas, including family, bankruptcy, and personal injury law cases. Call (270) 765-2190 or visit them online to schedule an appointment today.