Tag: family lawyer

The holiday season is one of the most exciting—and most stressful—times of the year for divorced or separated parents. Between school breaks, family gatherings, and out-of-state travel, navigating travel plans with children can quickly become complicated. Whether you’re planning a ski trip to the mountains or visiting relatives across the country, understanding your rights and responsibilities is essential.

As a family law firm dedicated to supporting Colorado parents, Divorce Matters helps families prepare for a smooth and conflict-free holiday season.

Check Your Parenting Plan First

Before booking flights or mapping out a road trip, review your court-approved parenting plan. Many Colorado parenting plans include specific language about:

• Holiday rotations
  
• Travel restrictions
  
• Required notice for out-of-state trips
  
• Passport arrangements (for international travel)
  

If your agreement specifies who gets the children for Christmas or New Year’s, these terms override normal weekly parenting schedules. Ignoring these provisions can cause disputes—or even lead to legal consequences.

If your plan is vague about holiday travel, Divorce Matters can help you update or clarify terms to avoid conflict.

Give Plenty of Notice to the Other Parent

Most parenting plans require “reasonable notice” before taking children out of state or overnight for holidays. Even if yours doesn’t, providing notice builds trust and reduces tension.

Be sure to share:

• Travel dates
  
• Flight numbers
  
• Lodging information
  
• Emergency contact details
  
• Names of adults traveling with the child
  

Open communication protects your parental rights and helps keep kids safe.

Know When You Need Permission

In Colorado, parents traveling with children—especially out of state—must often obtain the other parent’s consent. This is especially important if:

• The parenting plan includes a travel consent requirement
  
• You share joint decision-making
  
• You’re taking an international trip
  
• The child does not have a passport or previously required both signatures
  

If the other parent refuses unreasonably, you may need court intervention. A family law attorney can help file for a motion to travel to ensure your plans stay on track.

Plan for Communication and Virtual Visits

Holiday travel doesn’t mean a child should lose contact with the other parent. Courts expect both parents to support ongoing communication—even during trips.

Consider arranging:

• Scheduled FaceTime or Zoom calls
  
• Daily text check-ins
  
• Photo updates
  
• Shared itineraries
  

This reassures the other parent while showing the court you prioritize co-parenting cooperation.

Prepare Travel Documents Early

Nothing ruins holiday joy faster than a passport issue or missing consent form. Before leaving, ensure you have:

• Child’s passport (valid for entire travel period)
  
• Notarized travel consent letter, if required
  
• Medical consent forms
  
• Health insurance cards
  
• Parenting plan copies
  

These documents help avoid delays at airports and border checkpoints.

Put Your Child’s Needs First

Holiday travel can be exciting, but it can also be exhausting for kids—especially those adjusting to a new family dynamic. Keep the focus on what’s best for them by:

• Minimizing rushed transitions
  
• Avoiding hostile exchanges with the other parent
  
• Maintaining routines as much as possible
  
• Allowing downtime between events or flights
  

Supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing plays a major role in successful co-parenting during the holidays.

When Travel Disputes Arise

If the other parent is blocking travel, not following the holiday schedule, or violating your parenting plan, don’t wait. Holiday conflicts often require quick legal action—and courts get busy this time of year.

Common issues include:

• One parent denying consent for out-of-state travel
  
• Attempts to change holiday schedules last-minute
  
• Failure to return a child on time
  
• Disagreements about international travel safety
  

Working with family law attorneys who handle holiday parenting disputes can help protect your rights and avoid escalation.

Need Help With Holiday Travel Parenting Issues? Divorce Matters Is Here for You

Holiday travel should create meaningful memories—not legal headaches. If you’re facing travel disputes, need to modify your parenting plan, or want guidance on Colorado’s holiday custody laws, Divorce Matters can help you protect your rights and your child’s best interests. Contact Divorce Matters today to speak with a Colorado family law attorney.

The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year for children. Schools host Christmas parties, gift exchanges, concerts, winter festivals, and other special events that make December feel extra special.
But for divorced or separated parents, these school-related holiday expenses often raise a common question:

Do Christmas party costs count as child support expenses—and who should pay for them?

At Divorce Matters, we understand that even small seasonal costs can spark conflict when parenting plans and expectations aren’t aligned. Here’s what parents should know as holiday events begin filling the calendar.

Are School Christmas Party Expenses Included in Child Support?

Generally, child support covers a child’s basic, recurring needs—housing, food, clothing, school essentials, and healthcare. But holiday or seasonal expenses don’t always fit neatly into these categories.

School Christmas events often involve:

• Classroom party contributions
  
• Gifts for teachers
  
• School-organized holiday field trips
  
• Holiday performance attire
  
• Fundraisers and seasonal activities
  

These non-routine expenses typically fall under a separate category known as extracurricular or special school-related expenses, depending on your parenting plan or court order.

What Most Parenting Plans Say

Many parenting plans specify how parents split extra school expenses, often 50/50, unless otherwise agreed.
However, if your order doesn’t specifically mention holiday costs, parents may need to:

• Review their current court order
  
• Check communication agreements
  
• Discuss and mutually agree on a fair split
  

When plans are outdated or unclear, misunderstandings are common—and unnecessary stress follows.

Why Holiday School Expenses Become a Conflict Point

December tends to amplify financial and emotional strain. Parents may disagree on:

• Whether a fee or item is “necessary”
  
• Who should make the purchase
  
• Whether these costs are already covered by monthly child support
  
• Last-minute school announcements and deadlines
  

If one parent feels they are paying more than their share, resentment can build. Clear expectations—and updated legal guidance—can prevent conflict during a month that should be joyful for your children.

How Parents Can Stay Aligned During the Holidays

Here are a few best practices for smooth, conflict-free co-parenting during the Christmas season:

1. Communicate Early

Share school calendars, teacher emails, and cost breakdowns as soon as they come in.

2. Set a Budget Together

Agree on reasonable spending for holiday-related school items.

3. Put Agreements in Writing

Even a quick message or co-parenting app confirmation can prevent misunderstandings.

4. Follow Your Existing Court Order

If it specifies cost-sharing rules, stick to them—consistency helps avoid conflict.

5. Update Your Parenting Plan if Needed

If holiday expenses or school activities happen often and the order doesn’t address them, a modification may be helpful.

When to Involve a Lawyer

If disagreements keep happening—especially every holiday season—it may be time to seek legal clarity.

A family law attorney can help you:

• Review whether child support covers certain expenses
  
• Interpret vague or outdated parenting plan language
  
• Modify orders to reflect your child’s actual needs
  
• Reduce recurring disputes through clearer terms
  

At Divorce Matters, we help parents each year navigate holiday-related child support questions and establish long-term solutions that protect both children and co-parents from unnecessary stress.

Get Clear Guidance Before Holiday Conflicts Grow

Holiday school activities should bring joy—not disputes. If questions about child support and Christmas party expenses keep resurfacing, clear legal guidance can make all the difference.

Divorce Matters is here to help you understand your rights, update your parenting plan, and ensure fair sharing of holiday school expenses. 

Need support this holiday season?
Contact us at Divorce Matters today to protect your parenting rights and secure peaceful co-parenting.