This is the time of year for goodwill to all men (and women). But perhaps not so when it comes to separated parents and contact between them and their children.
The arrangements that need to be made over the Christmas period often take on huge significance and can cause various problems in the lead up to the day itself.
Consideration to this issue should be given in sufficient time ahead of the Christmas holidays to try and avoid problems.
There are a number of possible solutions. A common resolution is for families to alternate, with the children spending Christmas day with one parent one year and the other parent the next. Others prefer to share Christmas Day, with one parent having the children in the morning and the other having them in the afternoon.
For some families Christmas contact can be enjoyed on a day other than on the 25th December itself.
It is important to find solutions which suit all of the parties and certainly what is in the children’s best interests. Inevitably the children will want to have a good time with both parents.
There are many ways to resolve the problem and all of them should be considered before making an application to the court. Applications to the courts should be made as a last resort as often the court’s resolution leaves neither parent particularly happy. You should always take legal advice before embarking on an application to the court.