Christmas Contact Arrangements for Separated Parents

The festive period can be a difficult time for parents navigating separation and contact arrangements for children.  While some separated parents choose to spend special occasions like Christmas together with their children, for many this arrangement may not be feasible and therefore arrangements will need to be made to define contact over the festive period.

My ex-partner and I can’t agree on child contact arrangements – what should I do?

If parents cannot come to an agreement regarding child contact themselves then it may be helpful to seek advice from a solicitor, well in advance, so that this can be negotiated with the other party. Typically, a solicitor will write to the other party to seek to agree contact proposals. As well as in-person contact, proposals can also include what we call ‘indirect contact’, for example, facetime, phone calls or letters, as well as where to drop off cards and presents.  

It is also important to consider other family members who may wish to have contact over Christmas, for example, grandparents and step- or half-siblings, so that the children can benefit from spending time with extended family over this period.

If agreement still cannot be reached, then one party may decide to apply to the Court to make an Order to determine Christmas contact. If required, it is recommended that such an application be made well in advance in order to secure a Court listing before Christmas (unless the circumstances in your case meet emergency criteria). Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the steps involved in making an application.

When should I contact my solicitor?

If you cannot agree contact arrangements over the Christmas period and you wish for a solicitor to correspond or to consider applying to Court, then you should contact your solicitor as soon as possible to arrange this. December can be a busy time for Courts therefore it is important to act as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Going to Court about the children can often be a lengthy, stressful and expensive process. It is therefore advisable for all separated parents to come to an agreement on child contact to minimise animosity and keep relations as amicable as possible.

If you have a query about child contact arrangements, please contact our Family Law team.