If you have been in Target or Walmart lately, you would think that Halloween is next week. However, the actual date is about six weeks away, but retailers have this notion that if they put items out for you to buy early, you will buy them. Whether you would have bought candy and costumes so far in advance of Halloween is anyone’s guess, but it is an example of how retailers plan early for a holiday.
Divorcing and separated parents may benefit from taking the same approach. If there is no parenting time schedule ordered through a decree, disputes may arise over who will be allowed to take the child trick-or-treating, or even to Halloween parties. If this is the case, there are a number of things that can be done to resolve them.
Mediation – This is where a third party neutral person listens to your (and the other parent’s) concerns and attempts to broker a compromise that will work for both parties and the child. The mediator does not judge you or label either parent a winner or loser.
Parenting Time Consultant – A parenting consultant can review your custody and parenting time order and help resolve ambiguities that lead to disputes.
Motion – This is a formal request to the court to award parenting time or to modify an existing parenting time schedule to allow for holiday parenting time.
Indeed, there are risks that can come with either approach. To learn more, an experienced family law attorney can help.