How to Share Child Custody Over Thanksgiving
Is this your first Thanksgiving after a divorce? Are you worried about how you’ll spend the day or maintain your family traditions? We have a few tips for you to help you share child custody over Thanksgiving.
Tips for Sharing Child Custody Over Thanksgiving (And the Other Holidays)
Here are a few tips you can use to help you and your family navigate Thanksgiving, as well as the other upcoming holidays:
1. Rotate Years
Many couples find success with rotating years. This works by your child spending Thanksgiving with one parent this year, and then the other, the next year.
2. Rotate the Holidays
If your current child custody agreement means that your child spends each of the upcoming holidays with your ex-spouse, it may work better to rotate them. This works by having your child spend Thanksgiving with your ex-spouse. Then, you get your child for Christmas and your former spouse gets them for New Year’s.
3. Celebrate on a Different Day
Even if current plans have your child spending Thanksgiving with your ex-spouse, this doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate Thanksgiving together. Plan another Thanksgiving day celebration over the weekend. You can still cook your favorite foods and watch movies together.
4. Divide the Day In Half
If spending the day of Thanksgiving with your child is important, you and your spouse may be able to divide the day in half. Your child may spend the morning and early afternoon with your ex-spouse, and then you for the evening. This allows both parents to have time with their child on the actual holiday.
Some families may also try to share the holiday. If you live near your ex-spouse and get along with them well, you may be able to spend it together. This isn’t always an option for all families, and this is okay. The first year after a divorce can also be difficult, so if it isn’t an option now, it may be one day.
The holidays can be difficult for the whole family. Your child is already experiencing a lot of changes, and now they might not know what to expect for Thanksgiving. Whichever agreement works best for you and your family, try to keep your child in mind during this time. Plan your holiday celebrations as early as possible so everyone knows what to expect.
Have Questions About a Child Custody Agreement?
If you have questions about an existing child custody agreement, or you and your spouse are trying to agree on one, it may be beneficial to reach out to a lawyer. A divorce or child custody lawyer can help you navigate the difficulties that come with divorce, including child custody.
Even if you and your spouse need assistance with navigating things that arise after the divorce, like adjusting a child custody agreement or learning how to navigate an agreement when a spouse moves, the negotiation and legal experience of a divorce lawyer can be helpful. Divorce lawyers bring expert negotiation skills that can help create a plan that works for everyone.
Contact a Voorhees Family Law Attorney for a Consultation About Child Custody in New Jersey Today
If you are thinking about filing for divorce, or if you have already started the divorce process and are dealing with another matter such as child custody, child support, or division of assets, you need to speak with a qualified attorney. Family law attorney, Lois Garber Schwartz, Esq. represents clients throughout the state, including Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Moorestown, and Haddonfield. She understands how challenging this time can be for you, which is why she will fight hard to protect your interests, and the interests of your loved ones, throughout the legal process. Call her at (856) 482-8799 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. She has an office conveniently located at 1040 Kings Highway N., Suite 202, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.