With the holidays coming up, many families in South Carolina are preparing to spend time together. However, this may be a tricky time for parents who share custody of their children. Regardless of your wish for the holidays, it is important to remember that the child custody order and parenting schedule will dictate how things will work unless you devise a new arrangement with the co-parent.
Have a conversation with the other parent
Of course, before you make any decision regarding your child’s legal and physical welfare, it’s critical to first refer to the child custody order and your parenting schedule. Doing anything other than what is stipulated in that document would be a violation punishable under family law.
So, if you have any plans in mind, you will need to talk with the other parent to set out specific provisions regarding the holiday. This includes the logistics of exchanging the child as well as what will happen on the actual days of the holiday.
Be ready to compromise
Even some of the best laws in the country have exceptions, which means there isn’t always a “one size fits all” plan or arrangement. So, it’s important to remember that you may need to be flexible and compromise with the other parent regarding your set holiday plans.
Get everything in writing and signed
If your child custody order requires that any changes made must be done with the court’s permission, then you will need to file a request and get it approved before making any modifications to the schedule. However, if your agreement allows for flexibility when it comes to changes regarding holidays, it’s advisable to still have your revised plans in writing and signed by you and the other parent as well as witnesses. This way, there are no misunderstandings about what was agreed upon, and both parties are held accountable.
At the end of the day, any decisions you make should always consider what is in your child’s best interest. This means that if there are plans for travel or extended stays with either parent it is important to consider how this will impact your kid both emotionally and physically.