The holidays are a stressful time for everyone, but when you share custody of your child with an ex-spouse, the stress level can rise quickly when deciding where your child spends their time. Making these arrangements well in advance of the upcoming season is wise, and can avoid making a merry holiday a very un-merry one.
The first thing that both parents must consider is what the court-ordered child custody arrangements state. These are legally binding and can sometimes only be altered by a judge. Checking these arrangements first will avoid a lot of unnecessary effort. If you and your ex agree to an altered agreement, the process should be an easy one, but in the case of dispute, you will want to leave plenty of time for a judge’s decision.
In most cases when parents agree to negotiate and compromise, amicable arrangements can benefit all involved. Problems usually arise when parents share different faiths, thus different holidays, or when parents live an extended distance from each other and cannot make arrangements to share custody for the day. Alternating holidays each year is one option to help parents reach an agreement and avoid the annual decision-making process. Sharing the day between parents when possible can be exhausting for the child, but can help both parties reach a fair solution.
In any case, the focus of the child custody arrangements for any holiday should consider what is best for the child. Waking up in the morning in one home and then having to leave the gifts and festivities behind to venture to the other parent’s house can lead to resentment and frustration for the child. Over stimulation and exhaustion are common among all children during the holiday season, so taking this into consideration will ensure that the child enjoys the arrangements as much as the parents.
Maryland Family Law Attorneys at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC help Families Set Child Custody Arrangements
Baltimore County family lawyers of Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC have been helping divorcing couples set amicable child custody arrangements for over 30 years. The highly skilled Baltimore County child custody lawyers at the firm are committed to providing compassionate and professional legal services throughout the emotionally charged child custody process. The child’s best interests and parental considerations are given top priority in determining custody arrangements.
If you or someone you know is considering divorce in Maryland and dealing with sensitive child custody issues, call our family lawyers in Maryland at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC at 443-589-0150 or fill out the online contact form to schedule your free consultation today. Conveniently located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, we serve clients throughout Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County including Towson, Baltimore, Bel Air, Columbia, Westminster and Essex.
