We get the latest specialist advice from JCP Solicitors, which has an office in Caerphilly. Jill Bulteel, Director and Head of Family Law, based in the Caerphilly office, encourages separated families to plan ahead for a peaceful Christmas
My ex-partner and I split this year and I don’t want our young daughter
to get caught up in disputes about who has her over Christmas. How should we approach this?
Christmas can put extra stress upon all families, whether they are traditional family units, blended families, or separated families where there is contact with former partners. Making Christmas work for everyone takes compromise on all sides and it is best for you, as parents, to try to agree in advance what the arrangements will be over Christmas, so your daughter has a feeling of security.
It is likely that your daughter will want to spend time with both you and her other parent over Christmas. If you and your former partner live close to each other, consider sharing the day so your child can have time with you both on Christmas Day. Or, you might agree for her to be with you on Christmas Eve and with your former partner on Christmas Day.
If you aren’t able to agree upon arrangements, consider meeting with your Solicitor, who can refer you to an independent mediator. They may
be able to help you find a resolution everyone can live with. If mediation doesn’t work, or if you have left it too late to go down this route, you might have to make an application to the Court.
The Court will consider all your circumstances before making a decision based on what is in the child’s best interests and, if your daughter is mature enough, her wishes may be taken into consideration too.
For more information contact Jill 02920 860628 or jill.bulteel@jcpsolicitors.co.uk
The question posed is based upon a hypothetical situation. This content does not constitute legal advice and is provided for general information purposes only.
