Every year, it seems that Christmas gets a little earlier, but it’s never too early to put in place child contact arrangements for the festive season.
At Kee Solicitors, our family & child lawyers in Glasgow and Aberdeen can help you put in place holiday plans which will deliver a relaxing and enjoyable festive season for you and your children. Every year, we help parents like you throughout Scotland develop practical arrangements that put your children first.
Our team of family lawyers will explain your legal rights and help you to establish Christmas contact arrangements that benefit everyone. We offer comprehensive support – from drafting child contact orders to advising on how to develop fair holiday schedules.
We can advise you on how to handle holiday transitions smoothly, maintain good communication with your former partner, and help your children enjoy Christmas with all of their family.
To get started, call us on 0141 478 9090 or fill in our form.
Understanding Your Rights as Separated Parents in Scotland
In Scotland, there are no specific rules regarding holidays such as Christmas, and contact arrangements will vary from family to family, and indeed from child to child depending on their age and stage of life. Kids who believe in Santa might be more anxious about where they spend time, for example. Older children may have a preference as to where they spend their time at Christmas and the law will take these views into account.
The key thing is that the children’s welfare and best interests come first. Provided there are no risks to the children, then they should spend time with both parents over the festive period.
Planning Christmas Contact Arrangements
Planning Christmas contact arrangements for your children requires significant early preparation. Kee Solicitors recommends starting these discussions as early as possible before the festive season to ensure a stress and argument free festive season.
Here are common Christmas arrangement options that work well for many families:
Split Christmas Day – morning with one parent, afternoon with another;
Alternate years – full Christmas Day with each parent on rotation;
Christmas Eve and Boxing Day split – taking one day each;
Week-by-week division of the school holidays.
Any verbal agreements should be followed up in writing. This approach helps avoid misunderstandings and creates clear reference points. Remember to include specific details about collection times, locations, and your family’s special arrangements for presents or traditions.
Holiday travel abroad requires written permission from anyone with parental rights. Our experienced child lawyers in Glasgow and Aberdeen can help you formalise these agreements and ensure proper documentation.
Our family solicitors can make discussions easier for families who struggle to reach an agreement. We prioritise your children’s wellbeing while ensuring both parents maintain meaningful contact during the festive period.
Our expert team in either Glasgow or Aberdeen can guide you through creating practical, legally sound Christmas contact arrangements that work for your family. Reach out today to discuss your specific circumstances.
Practical Tips for Smooth Holiday Arrangements
Your children deserve to have the best possible Christmas. Our family lawyers at Kee Solicitors help you create practical arrangements that prioritise your children’s needs.
Here are key tips that make transitions easier:
Let your children know about upcoming changes ahead of time
Keep routines consistent in both households
Make sure your children can freely talk to both parents
Keep a calm and positive atmosphere during transitions
A joint gift list and shared costs for main presents make sense, while separate stockings or small gifts maintain individual connections. This strategy eliminates competition and sets clear expectations.
Our solicitors help families reach agreements outside court that save time and money. This shared approach lets you keep control of decisions while getting professional guidance. We excel at child-inclusive mediation and make sure your children’s voices are heard in the right way.
Our services extend to more formal arrangements:
Drafting Minutes of Agreement for holiday contact
Applying for or varying Child Arrangement Orders
Securing Specific Issue Orders for holiday travel
Representing you in court proceedings when needed
Providing collaborative law solutions
The success of Christmas arrangements between separated parents relies on good planning and open communication. Parents who start their discussions early and keep track of their agreements in writing create the best outcomes for their children. The secret to success lies in putting children first while making sure both parents get quality festive time with them.
The family law team at Kee Solicitors have experience helping separated parents in Glasgow and Aberdeen create practical holiday plans. Our lawyers guide you through each step of the process.
Need help with Christmas contact arrangements? Our family law team is ready to help – just call us at 0141 478 9090. We’ll work hard to find the right solution for your family and help your children enjoy a wonderful Christmas season.
Need help with Christmas contact arrangements? Call our Glasgow office on 0141 478 9090 or Aberdeen office on 01224 002 556. Our expert team are ready to secure the best outcome for your family this festive season.
