Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
It's difficult enough to need to figure out child custody to begin with, but when you throw the holidays into the mix, it can be that much more problematic. Luckily, it is possible to stop a child custody dispute before it occurs. However, it also means that you need to be prepared for when things could get challenging. The holiday season is one of the more complicated times of year regarding child custody, and there are probably going to be issues that crop up. Your end goal should be – and should always be – your child's happiness. This is true even if it means that you won't get to spend their entire Christmas break with them. Ultimately, your best bet is to be prepared for the potential issues that may arise, including:
1. Sharing Time.
From you and your ex-spouse to both sets of grandparents, everyone wants to spend some of the holiday with your kids. Some divorce and child custody papers will outline what part of the holiday each is spent with whom. However, some arrangements only dictate that the kids will be with Mom during even years and Dad during odd years. When you're creating child custody arrangements, make sure that you take the time to develop the details clearly and thoroughly. It needs to outline when and where the kids are supposed to be. You can even throw in specific times for grandparents.
2. Travel.
It isn't uncommon for families to travel during the holiday season. Some may live 1,000 miles away from their family and drive to see them each year, while others may fly across the country to see their loved ones. If your family lives out-of-state, you will want to double-check to see if you can even take your child to another state. In some cases, as determined by your custody agreement, you may need to consult with the other parent to get their permission before taking them out of the state. Sometimes, you may even be required to get a court order to take your child out of the state. Failing to follow the rules of the court-ordered arrangement or the laws in your state could land you in court.
3. Gifts.
Being separated from your ex means that you have the chance to purchase a Christmas gift for your child that will drive your ex absolutely insane. While this is indeed alluring, especially if you split on bad terms, you need to think about your child first. Your child may take a gift to your ex's house, causing apprehension and resulting in their punishment. If you want to get your child a particular gift, you can buy it, as you have that right. However, if you think it may negatively affect the other parent's mood, or cause any problems with your child's relationship with them, you may want to make a deal with your child that the gift doesn't go over there.
For more information about child custody issues, contact Mira Staggers White or a similar legal professional.
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