The holidays bring joy, but for divorced or separated parents in Mississippi, they can also bring complexity. What you likely want more than anything else this time of year is a peaceful season for your family, especially your children.
When you are co-parenting, the key to peace is a clear understanding of your court-ordered visitation schedule, which is especially true for major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s. Relying on an unclear agreement or hoping for the best often leads to conflict.
What is a typical holiday schedule?
While Mississippi courts prioritize the best interest of the child, a judicially accepted method for holiday visitation is an alternating-year schedule for major holidays, as a component of “standard” or “liberal” visitation.
For example, a typical custody order often defines the Christmas/New Year’s break as a single period, which is then split into two halves (the first half including Christmas Eve/Day, and the second half including New Year’s) that alternate between the parents every other year, ensuring each parent has time with the children every Christmas season.
How does an alternating schedule work?
Courts in Mississippi do not rely on one single, official state schedule. However, judges often use the alternating schedule, which divides breaks evenly between parents. The exact times usually begin when school lets out and end when school resumes.
For the Christmas break, a typical arrangement is splitting the time into two halves:
- Odd years: One parent receives the first half of the break, often beginning on the last day of school and continuing until the specified exchange time on Christmas Day, as defined in the decree.
- Even years: The other parent receives the first half of the break, following the same time structure.
Parents typically trade the second half of the break, too. For instance, the other parent will have the children from the exchange time on Christmas Day until the precise court-mandated time and date, which is usually set for the evening before school resumes.
Review your decree for every detail
Your official divorce decree or custody order is the only document that governs your holiday schedule. You must refer to the precise language to determine who has the children on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s this year. Never guess or assume what the document says.
If your order is unclear or if you and your co-parent cannot agree, the risk of conflict increases. Having skilled legal representation is essential for determining the precise scheduling details and enforcing your decree. You and your children deserve a clear and peaceful holiday season.