It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving dinner with the whole family is right around the corner, Christmas decorations are making their way out of storage, and children are counting down the days until Santa comes to town.
Maybe your family spends Thanksgiving at Grandma's house every year. Maybe Christmas means packing up the car and heading out of town to celebrate with relatives. Whatever your traditions look like, holiday travel is something many families look forward to all year.
When parents are separated or divorced, making those plans isn't always as simple as booking a flight or packing a suitcase.
Before you start packing everyone's bags, here's what Florida parents should know about holiday travel and the disagreements that can come with it.
Can You Take the Kids Out of Town for the Holidays?
Generally, being separated or divorced doesn't automatically prevent you from traveling with your children, even if your destination is outside Florida.
However, your ability to travel may depend on your existing parenting arrangements, any applicable court orders, and whether the trip interferes with the other parent's scheduled time with the children.
For example, if you're scheduled to have the children for Thanksgiving and want to spend that time visiting relatives in Georgia, you may be able to make those plans. Depending on your parenting plan, you may also need to provide advance notice, share an itinerary, or obtain written permission before traveling.
It's also worth remembering that holiday schedules may differ from regular time-sharing arrangements. Just because you usually have the children on a particular weekend doesn't necessarily mean you'll have them over Thanksgiving or Christmas.
What If You Both Want the Same Holiday?
Your family has celebrated Christmas at your parents' house for as long as you can remember, but this year, your co-parent is scheduled to have the kids on Christmas Day.
It's understandable to feel disappointed when a longstanding tradition conflicts with a new parenting schedule. However, family traditions alone generally don't override an existing court-ordered time-sharing arrangement.
That doesn't mean your holiday plans are necessarily off the table.
You and your co-parent might agree to exchange Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, arrange additional parenting time to accommodate a special family gathering, or find another way to celebrate with both sides of the family. The key is reaching an agreement before making commitments.
If your co-parent isn't willing to change the schedule, it's important to respect the existing arrangement rather than making travel plans that interfere with their parenting time.
What If Your Holiday Plans Change at the Last Minute?
Flights get canceled. Winter weather closes roads. Someone gets sick the morning you're supposed to leave. So, what happens when those unexpected changes affect the time your children are supposed to return to their other parent?
If a delay occurs, communicate with your co-parent as soon as possible. Explain what's happening, provide updated travel information, and discuss how the exchange can be handled.
There's an important difference between an unavoidable travel disruption and intentionally keeping the children beyond your scheduled parenting time. Still, unexpected circumstances don't automatically excuse noncompliance with a court order. The details matter, and disagreements over missed parenting time may require legal guidance.
Whenever possible, build extra time into your holiday travel plans, especially when flights or long drives are involved.
What If You Agree to Change the Schedule?
Sometimes, the easiest solution is simply working out a different arrangement.
Maybe your co-parent agrees to let you take the children to visit family for Thanksgiving in exchange for additional time over winter break. Or perhaps you both decide that alternating Christmas morning would work better for your family in the future.
However, informal conversations can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, especially when plans involve travel expenses, overnight stays, or changes to exchange times.
If you agree to adjust the holiday schedule, consider confirming the details in writing, including when and where the children will be picked up and returned.
Keep in mind that a private agreement doesn't necessarily modify an existing court order. If your family needs a lasting change to its time-sharing arrangement, an attorney can help you understand whether a formal modification may be appropriate.
Making the Holidays About More Than the Schedule
Holiday travel after separation may require more planning, but that doesn't mean families have to give up the traditions they love. With clear expectations and thoughtful arrangements, children can still enjoy meaningful celebrations with the people who matter most.
For more ways to help children navigate changing holiday traditions, read our article, "The First Holiday After Separation: How Co-Parents Can Make It Easier on the Kids."
If you are thinking about divorce in Florida, we can help you find out whether we are the right fit. Call us at 850-362-7228, or complete the form on our website and we will call you.
Written by Sophia Thephasdin. Reviewed for legal accuracy by Matthew Ausley, Attorney.