It goes without saying that Christmas is going to be a very different experience this year for most people.

However, one thing that will remain the same is the natural desire for separated parents not to let their differences or their changed circumstances spoil their children’s enjoyment of what should be a special time.

As there is increasing uncertainty about what social distancing rules will apply during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, there is a particular need to plan well ahead with built-in flexibility to ensure an enjoyable Christmas for the children while keeping the family safe.

Ideally, start discussing the situation with your children’s other parent as early as possible, to give yourself plenty of time to come to an arrangement about times and days to see the children and record what is agreed to avoid future disputes.

If you are not on amicable terms with your former partner, ask an impartial third party or solicitor to liaise over access and put it in writing.

Think about how to divide your children’s time over the festive period, maybe having the children on Christmas Day while the other parent has them on Boxing Day. This can then be alternated the following year.

Sometimes it is hard to find a formula to suit both sides however, our experienced family solicitors are on hand to help you. They have a wide range of expertise and experience to offer you the best guidance. We will do what we can to help you reach a fair outcome as quickly as possible.

Our Family Law team can help you on wide range of family and child related issues and works closely with Haymarket Family Mediation which is a part of Phillips Solicitors.

For more information contact Hayley Eachus who heads our Family Law team by calling 01256 854633 or by emailing [email protected]

Disclaimer

This article is current at the date of publication set out above and is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.