Reflect upon your present blessings – of which every man has many – not upon your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.  – A Christmas Supper, Charles Dickens. During the holiday season, we are reminded in one way, shape, or form that it is the season to give thanks.  Unfortunately, as a parent contemplating a divorce, going through a divorce, or recently divorced. The idea of a big holiday may conjure up feelings of angst, not thanks. There are some points parents should consider regarding the visitation schedule. In the face of celebrating a holiday in a different way than in past years. You can be thankful that now is the time to show your children how you give thanks to them.  You can be thankful that now is the opportunity to show your children how well you can handle a different holiday situation.

Factors to consider for devising a holiday visitation schedule

For those of you who have children and are contemplating a divorce: 

Well, you can be thankful that you have the opportunity to agree to and help create a holiday visitation schedule. That is tailored to your unique situation, or alternatively. The Family Court system has tools such as standard forms of visitation. i.e., Judge Brown’s standard visitation schedule, which offers guidance.  (To view Judge Brown’s standard visitation schedule, see below.)  In either situation, you do not have to wait for a divorce decree to be able to set up a visitation schedule. That helps assist your entire family in handling holiday situations.  Having said that here’s the understatement of the year:

A lot goes into visitation discussions and negotiations between both sides. Moreover, a lot of work goes into preparing for court hearings and court orders that follow. Ultimately, when thinking about holiday visitation and visitation schedules. It is never too early to consider what schedules work best for your children. Your work and travel schedules and your spouse’s work and travel schedules.  Factors to consider when devising a holiday visitation schedule include:

  • Your children’s school and extracurricular schedules;
  • Work and travel schedules of both parents;
  • Religious practices of both parents;
  • Holiday traditions that your children especially enjoy;
  • Length of travel time and travel costs involved with holiday celebrations.

Prepare the Schedule with your ex-spouse.

For those of you who already have a visitation schedule in place:

Well, you can be thankful that you are in a good position to make this time as smooth as possible for your children and your entire family.  Use the visitation schedule to your advantage by preparing to abide by the schedule set before you. If further details need to be worked out between you and your ex-spouse. Discuss them long before the holiday season (here is your opportunity to compromise and choose your battles wisely).  Thankfully, the holiday season can be a time when you and your children are confident in what is going to happen simply by having a plan in place.

Tips to Help Your Children Adjust Well to the Schedule

Some helpful tips to help your children adjust well to the holiday visitation schedule include:

  • Discuss the visitation schedule with your children well in advance of the actual holiday.  Knowledge of what is about to take place is empowering and comforting.
  • If possible, discuss the holiday visitation schedule with the family members your children will be visiting.  Prepare them for your children’s arrival and remind them that your children find themselves in a different situation this year.
  • If travel is involved, the less baggage and the more fast-paced the agenda, the better.  Help your children pack efficiently for the holidays. And help give them a travel itinerary that does not have them worn out upon their return from the celebrations.
  • If you are preparing for a holiday without your children, do not pressure them to feel guilty over being apart. Keep in mind that a holiday can be celebrated on a day other than the calendar day. (Giving thanks at a post-Thanksgiving celebration is not unheard of.)

If you have any questions about this topic or related issues, please contact us for an initial consultation.

We hope you and your entire family enter the holiday season with safe travels, happy encounters, and many reasons to give thanks.

JUDGE BROWN’S STANDARD VISITATION, GUIDELINES AND RESTRAINING ORDERS

I. VISITATION:

A. Weekend/Midweek Visitation:

The visiting parent shall have alternating weekends from Friday at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. until Sunday at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. Do not have the child/children each Thursday evening before the weekend. The visiting parent shall have the child/children from five-thirty (5:30) p.m. until nine (9:00) p.m. Regular weekends are superseded by the other specific visitation set forth herein the party not having the specific visitation set forth in B (1), (2), (3), (5) (6) and C shall have the following weekend and the alternate weekend cycle shall recommence.

B. Holiday Visitation:

  •  (1) Spring School Break/Easter Weekend:

The visiting parent shall have spring school break (Easter weekend) on even-numbered years starting at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the last day of school and ending at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the evening prior to the child/children returning to school. The custodial parent shall have spring school break (Easter weekend) on odd-numbered years starting at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. The last day of school and ending at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. The evening prior to the child/children returning to school.

  • (2) Thanksgiving Visitation:

The visiting parent shall have a Thanksgiving vacation on odd-numbered years. Moreover, the custodial parent shall have a Thanksgiving vacation on even-numbered years. Thanksgiving shall commence at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. on the last day the child/children are in school or would be in school if they were attending school and shall end at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. on the following Sunday.

  • (3). Christmas Visitation:

The custodial parent shall have the child/children during the first half of Christmas break on odd-numbered years starting at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the day school lets out and ending at two o’clock (2:00) p.m. The Christmas Day and shall have the second half of Christmas break on even-numbered years starting at two o’clock (2:00) p.m. Christmas Day and ending at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the evening prior to school starting back. The visiting parent shall have the same Christmas holiday with the children, except it shall be on alternating years.

  • (4). Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Visitation:

The child/children shall be with the mother on Mother’s Day and with the father on Father’s Day from nine o’clock (9:00) a.m. until nine (9:00) p.m. (Regardless of whose weekend upon which it may fall.)

  • (5). Monday/Friday Holidays Visitation:

As to any other holiday which is celebrated on a Monday or a Friday and which is recognized by the state or the county in which the child/children reside(s) and the school in which the child/children is/are enrolled, while school is in session, the parent having the child/children for that weekend as a normal part of their alternating weekends or selected summer visitations shall have the child/children on Monday the holiday is celebrated until six o’clock (6:00) p.m. or starting at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the Thursday night before the Friday the holiday is celebrated.

  • (6). Religious Holidays Visitation:

If the child/children are/are being raised in a particular faith that has a major religious holiday not otherwise included in the above time frames. The parties shall alternate possession of the child/children from six o’clock (6:00) p.m. The day prior to the event, until six o’clock (6:00) p.m. The day after the event or from two (2) hours after the child/children is/are released from school, the last day of required school attendance until after the religious holiday at six o’clock (6:00) p.m. the day prior to required school attendance. However, if the child is required to travel and the holiday starts. For example, at sundown, the child may be picked up as soon as school is out. It might be reasonably necessary to allow for the child to arrive at the visiting parent’s home prior to the required commencement time for the holiday.

C. Summer Visitation:

The visiting parent shall have one (1) two (2) week period and two (2) one-week periods (with at least one [1] week in between each visitation period) of visitation during the summer. He/She shall pick the weeks in writing on or before May 1st of each odd-numbered year and on or before May 15th of each even-numbered year. The custodial parent shall have two (2) full weeks during the summer. He/She shall pick the weeks in writing on or before May 1st of each even-numbered year and on or before May 15th of each odd-numbered year. The weeks shall start on a Friday at six (6:00 p.m.) and end on a Friday at six (6:00 p.m.)

D. Birthday Visitation:

On each parent’s birthday, the child/children shall be with that parent from eight o’clock (8:00) a.m. until nine o’clock (9:00) p.m. except for school days when the child shall be with that parent from five-thirty (5:30) p.m. until eight-thirty (8:30) p.m. (This does not allow for the child to be taken out of school; neither does this require the parent to take time off from work.)

The party not having the child on that child’s birthday shall have three (3) hours on a non-school day. Moreover, two (2) hours on a school day. Independent of any activity of the party with whom the child is placed on that day. This visitation shall be at a reasonable time but not to conflict with any activity the primary party having the child on that day may be having for the child. All the children shall be together on any of their brother’s/sister’s birthdays.

* Summer is defined as the period of time the school district in which the child lives is closed for summer vacation.

II. OTHER PARENTAL GUIDELINES, RIGHTS &INSTRUCTIONS:

A. Telephone/E-mail Contact:

Both parents shall have reasonable and, at all times, private telephone and e-mail contact with the child/children. The child/children shall be allowed to have reasonable private telephone/e-mail contact with either parent. (E-mail is limited to age-appropriate use and the ability to use a computer. The ability to have a computer does not require the purchase of a computer.)

B. Important Events:

Both parties shall timely notify the other party (as soon as possible after learning of the event) of any reasonably important event occurring while the child is in their care, such as baptisms, bar mitzvahs, sporting events, dance recitals, school plays, etc. Both parents may attend. When there is any doubt about what’s important, the other parent shall be notified.

C. Access to Records:

Both parents shall have full and complete access to all medical providers, school records, school personnel, coaches, counselors, and other professionals involved in the child’s/children’s lives. They shall be allowed to discuss their child’s/children’s circumstances and needs with these people. Each party shall inform the other party of the identity of such people and, if not otherwise reasonably available, how to contact such people. If required or requested by the provider school personnel, etc., the parent needing to do so shall sign any required form.)

D. Medical Emergencies:

In a medical emergency, the visiting parent may make appropriate decisions and is hereby granted authority to and shall sign appropriate documents to protect the health and welfare of the visiting child. This is not to undermine the custodian’s legal authority to make appropriate decisions. The visiting parent shall make reasonable efforts to contact the custodian but shall have the authority to act and shall not delay protecting the child from imminent danger. Each person shall provide and sign such information and forms as required and not otherwise reasonably available to the other parent to allow the fulfillment of this Order. This includes but is not limited to
such items as insurance cards, school schedules, flight schedules, medical appointments, work schedules, prescription medications, releases of information, etc.

E. FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT/DENIAL OF VISITATION:

The failure to pay child support does not alter one’s right to this visitation, and the denial does not alter one’s duty to pay child support. (Remedies such as contempt may apply.)

F. PICK UP AND RETURN OF CHILDREN:

Unless otherwise specified, the visiting parent shall pick up and return the child/children to and from the custodian’s residence for all periods of visitation. The custodian may not thwart/deny visitation by moving away. If the custodian moves more than fifteen (15) miles from where the children lived and were being picked up. The custodian shall keep the children at the old location until we obtain a court order or written agreement to alter this location. (This is not a ruling as to the right or prohibition of one’s right to move or relocate.)

G. ALTERING VISITATION.

The parents may alter visitation by agreement. However, absent a written agreement to deviate, a rebuttable presumption exists that the deviation was not with the other party’s agreement.

III. RESTRAINING ORDERS:

A.

All parties are restrained against having any form of physical or verbal confrontation or allowing another to do so in front of the child/children.

B.

All parties are restrained against excessively consuming or being under the influence of alcohol (defined the same as might apply to driving under the influence). The consumption of any illegal drug, the abuse of any prescription drug, or allowing another to do so. At the same time, the child/children are under his/her care.

C.

All parties are restrained against the use of profanity or making any derogatory comments about or toward the other party or allowing anyone else to do so in front of the child/children or in any manner whereby the child/children might learn of the same.

D.

During pending litigation about the children, the parties shall not discuss any details about the litigation beyond acknowledging the existence of the same. Further, if the litigation is between the parties and involves adult matters not directly relating to the children. The parties shall not discuss the litigation with the children. In no case shall the parties unnecessarily involve the children in the litigation. Once an Order is issued, its details shall not be discussed with the children except to acknowledge it exists and must be complied with. The only exception to this restraining order is when the child/children is/are in counseling or under psychological/psychiatric care. The child/children’s provider believes discussing the same is in the child’s therapeutic best interest. But this may be done only in that limited context absent a written order to the contrary.

E.

All parties are restrained from having the child/children on an overnight basis in the presence of an adult party of the opposite sex (*or the same sex if the party or guest is bi-sexual or homosexual) to whom the parties are not related by blood or marriage, or any lover/paramour.
* The restraining Order in Section III(E) issues as a preventive measure to stop one from claiming that the other adult is present. Despite being of the opposite sexual attraction, is merely a friend. To do otherwise would make it impossible to protect the child from inappropriate conduct.

Neither party shall expose the child/children to conditions that imply a relationship, such as a boyfriend or girlfriend, paramour/lover, or improper relationship. While the party is still married to another person. While the parties are still engaged in marital litigation, the restriction shall be against the mere presence of any alleged paramour or one who, under the circumstances, may reasonably be construed as a paramour and not merely against overnight visitation.

F.

All parties are required to keep the child/children in a moral and safe environment at all times.

G.

All parties are required to see that the child/children in their care properly attend school. Moreover, they are not out of school in violation of any educational requirement of this State.

H.

All parties must ensure that the child/children in their care receive proper medical attention and appropriately take prescribed medications or reasonably necessary medical treatments. Moreover, they shall ensure that the child/children in their care attend any scheduled medical appointments. And exchange medications that are to be taken. All might be reasonable and appropriate and in compliance with their religious beliefs, a specific court order, or the law.

I.

All parties are restrained against conduct detrimental to the child/children of any particular nature relating to the particular needs of a given child/children, such as not smoking around an asthmatic child.

J.

One party shall not schedule elective matters related to the child/children on or during the other party’s time, nor shall it allow others to schedule elective matters related to the child/children.

K.

At all times, the parent custodian, visiting party, or responsible adults must properly supervise the child/children and not leave them with babysitters who are inappropriate in any manner by way of age, conduct, past history, or otherwise, when they know, should know, or could, with reasonable efforts, know.

L.

All parties must refrain from allowing the child/children to see or be exposed to age-inappropriate movies, computer-access websites, games, or other such material or forms of entertainment. Moreover, they must take all reasonable precautions against the same. In no case shall the children be exposed to any X-rated or pornographic material or R-rated movies. The parents may use discretion when deciding on R-rated movies for children sixteen (16) and older. However, if either parent objects, the child shall not be exposed to the R-rated movie.

NOTE !!

This Order applies to custodians and visiting parents alike. A violation of this Order could subject the violating party to contempt sanctions. Which includes up to one (1) year in jail to coerce compliance or six (6) months in jail to punishment, up to a Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollar fine, and up to three hundred (300) hours of community service. One may also have to pay the attorney’s fees and costs of the party who brings the action to enforce this Order.
Revised June 29, 2006

See 10 Tips for Helping Your Child Cope with Holiday Stress by David Fassler, M.D. www.huffingtonpost.com/david-fassler-md/children-holiday-stress_b_785513.html.

Schedule an appointment with us today to learn how we can help you through this process: 864-804-6330

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