Splitting Holidays in a Washington Divorce

Divorce brings significant changes to families, particularly when it comes to navigating holidays and school breaks. In Washington, the division of parenting time is typically addressed in a Parenting Plan, a legal document that outlines custody arrangements, including holiday schedules. Understanding how holidays are split can help reduce conflict and ensure a smoother co-parenting experience for both parents and children.

The Role of Parenting Plans in Splitting Holidays

Parenting Plans serve as the guiding framework for custody and visitation in a Washington divorce. They not only address regular schedules but also detail how holidays and school breaks are divided between parents. Most plans aim to create a fair division of time while prioritizing the best interests of the children.

A common method used to split holidays is alternating schedules, where certain holidays are assigned to one parent in odd-numbered years and to the other parent in even-numbered years. This ensures both parents have the opportunity to celebrate important occasions with their children over time.

Examples of Holiday Splits

Here’s how holiday splits might look in a typical Parenting Plan:

• Thanksgiving: In odd years, mother has the children from release of school until return to school after Thanksgiving. In even years, the father has the children from release of school until return to school after Thanksgiving.
  
  
• Christmas/Winter Break: Winter break is often divided into two segments. For example, Parent A may have the first half in odd years, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while Parent B has the second half. The schedule would flip in even years.
  
  
• Spring Break: Parent A might have the children during spring break in even years, and Parent B in odd years.

This type of arrangement helps maintain balance and ensures both parents get to create lasting holiday memories with their children.

What About Three-Day Weekend Holidays?

Three-day weekends, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, or Memorial Day, are often (though not always) assigned to the parent who already has the children for that weekend. For instance - If Parent A’s regular parenting time includes the weekend, they would also have the children on the Monday holiday.

This method minimizes disruptions to the regular schedule and provides clarity for both parents. However, specific arrangements may vary depending on the details outlined in your Parenting Plan.

Crafting a Schedule That Works

Every family is unique, and your holiday schedule should reflect your specific needs and priorities. When working with your attorney to develop a Parenting Plan, consider factors such as family traditions, travel schedules, and the importance of particular holidays to each parent.

If disagreements arise, courts prioritize the best interests of the children. Judges in Washington often encourage co-parents to work collaboratively to minimize conflict and ensure a stable environment for their children.

Partner with Magnuson Lowell PS

At Magnuson Lowell PS, we understand the challenges of navigating parenting schedules and holiday arrangements during a divorce. Our experienced attorneys work closely with families to create fair and practical Parenting Plans tailored to their unique situations. We’re here to help you protect your parental rights and build a plan that supports your family’s needs. If you have questions about splitting holidays or other aspects of divorce, contact us today for a free telephone case evaluation 425-800-0576

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