The 10 Do’s and Don’ts for a stress-free Christmas after separation
Christmas is here again! For many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: a chance to relax, celebrate, and create joyful memories with loved ones. But if you’re separated or going through a divorce, the festive season can bring unique challenges and mixed emotions…
Balancing parenting arrangements, holiday plans, and family expectations isn’t easy. The good news? With a little planning and the right approach, you can make Christmas enjoyable for everyone, especially your children.
Here are our Top 10 DO’s and DON’Ts to help you navigate the holidays with less stress and more cheer.
DOs
1. Do follow any Parenting Plan or Consent Orders. Stick to agreed arrangements. Breaching court orders can lead to serious consequences.
2. Do plan ahead and communicate early. If you haven’t agreed on holiday arrangements, consider a Family Dispute Resolution Conference (mediation) well before Christmas.
3. Do formalise arrangements where possible. A Parenting Plan or Parenting Order provides clarity and reduces conflict.
4. Do seek legal advice if needed. If you’re considering separation or have already separated, get specialist family law advice before making big decisions.
5. Do comply with any Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Christmas is not an exemption. Breaching a Protection Order is a criminal offence and can result in imprisonment.
DON’Ts
1. Don’t take children overseas without consent. If you have Parenting Orders or pending applications, you need written agreement from the other parent or a court order. Breaching this can lead to serious penalties, including imprisonment.
2. Don’t miss important deadlines. Property settlement and maintenance matters have strict time limits:
- De facto couples: 2 years from separation,
- Married couples: 12 months from the date your Divorce Order takes effect.
3. Don’t engage in family or domestic violence. This includes physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse. Never expose children to conflict.
4. Don’t speak negatively about the other parent in front of the children. Protect your children from adult disputes – they deserve a joyful Christmas.
5. Don’t relocate children without consent or a court order. Moving away without agreement can lead to urgent court action. Even relocating from Brisbane to Melbourne without consent can be problematic.
Final Tip
Christmas is about creating positive memories for your children. Keep communication respectful, plan ahead, and seek legal advice if you’re unsure about your obligations.
At Michael Lynch Family Lawyers we can help you in all aspects of family law matters. For a fixed-cost no-obligation initial consultation contact our Brisbane office by calling (07) 3221 4300 or our Gold Coast office by calling (07) 5676 7600, or emailing to [email protected].
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for your support during the year.
