What does Florida law require in a holiday time-sharing schedule?

Under Florida Statute 61.13, the parenting plan must include a schedule for each school break, each holiday, and routine days. The holiday portion should spell out pick-up and drop-off times and who handles transportation, and the whole plan must serve the child's best interests.

How should we structure a balanced holiday time-sharing plan?

Three principles: cover the full calendar — summer and winter breaks plus spring break, Thanksgiving, long weekends, and teacher-planning days; build in flexibility for travel delays, illness, and last-minute changes; and keep co-parent communication open so school and family surprises do not immediately turn into disputes.

How do we handle the first Christmas after divorce?

Lean on flexibility and predictability together. Keep the familiar traditions that signal 'this is still our family' — favorite recipes, consistent bedtimes, a morning video call to the other parent. Protect the children's routines and keep adult conflict away from the holiday itself.

What traditions should we try to preserve across both homes?

Three practical ones carry a lot of weight: using the same holiday recipes in both homes, holding bedtime routines steady during the break, and allowing a video call to the other parent on holiday mornings. They cost nothing and reassure the children that nothing essential has been taken from them.

How do we handle holiday travel with the children?

Begin by rereading the current court order and any travel-notice provisions before booking. Share itineraries, dates, and contact information with the other parent. For out-of-state or international travel, confirm written consent where the plan requires it, and keep the communication respectful so the children's experience of the trip is not pulled into a parental dispute.

What do we do if a holiday schedule dispute comes up?

Go back to the court-approved parenting plan — it is the source of authority on timing, holidays, and transportation. Put any requested change in writing through email or a parenting app so both parents have the same record. Keep the children out of the conversation.

What should we coordinate early in the season?

Four items: camp registrations, vacation dates, travel details before any trip, and special dates that would affect visitation — family birthdays, religious observances, school events. Sorting these a month out removes most of the conflict that otherwise lands in the final week.

Can we change the holiday schedule later?

Yes, through the court. When a substantial and permanent change in circumstances makes the original arrangement no longer workable, a parent files a formal petition in the Florida circuit court to modify the parenting plan. Informal side agreements between the parents do not replace a court-entered order.

Should we hire a family law attorney to draft or modify the plan?

A Florida family law attorney drafts the holiday provisions with the specificity Florida courts expect, builds in the flexibility and travel-notice language that prevents future disputes, and handles the modification process when life changes. The upfront investment typically saves years of friction and a stack of enforcement filings.

Holiday Time-Sharing: Protecting Your Kids’ Traditions

Posted by Constance D. Coleman,on 11/04/2026

The Christmas season is a time filled with festivities and family traditions. Being a parent with a child can be a challenging period after divorce. The holiday season can be tricky for those dividing up their homes after divorce. A divorce lawyer in Florida can help parents understand their legal options and create a parenting plan that considers their children’s needs.

A precise parenting plan is required in Florida family law. It may be easier to maintain family traditions during special times if a balanced holiday time-sharing schedule is established.

Here are some ideas for creating an organized holiday schedule to keep your kids happy and safe.

Understanding Florida Time-Sharing Regulations

The terminology for parenting time in Florida changed to parental responsibility and time-sharing. Under Florida Statute Section 61.13, the parenting plan must include a plan for each section of the school break, holidays, and routine days.

A time-sharing plan is a good way to avoid further misunderstandings between parents. It clearly states the pick-up and drop-off times and the responsibility for transportation. These plans are under the jurisdiction of the Florida courts if they concern the child’s “best interests.”

Crafting a Balanced Holiday Time-Sharing Schedule

A holiday time-sharing schedule is a clear plan that helps you focus on your kids’ happiness and plan holidays. For holidays, there are a few simple ways to set up the holiday schedules under Florida guidelines:

Apart from summer and winter breaks, other special days and school breaks must also be considered. Having a balanced holiday time-sharing schedule can give parents more time to spend with their children.
The unexpected variance in schedules may necessitate prompt response. It helps parents and children to be open to change.
Communication is important between parents. Effective communication can help maintain a balanced schedule. Unexpected school vacations and other upcoming events can be sources of conflict. Regular discussions and meetings with children can help avoid conflict and ease the transition for them.

A time-sharing agreement between the holidays provides both parents with a good time with their children. Standard changes to the holiday time-sharing schedule mean you won’t be left at the last minute.

Navigating the First Christmas After Divorce

The first Christmas after divorce can be a stressful period for everyone. The first Christmas following a divorce should be flexible in time and help keep your children safe and feeling loved.

Protecting Essential Childhood Traditions

One of the most important aspects of predictability is for children, especially during big holidays. Talk with your co-parent about ways to maintain your children’s fundamental traditions.

Several important measures to preserve traditions:
Use the same healthful holiday recipes at both homes.
Avoid changing bedtime routines during holidays, when possible.
Give kids the opportunity to video call the other parent during the morning hours on holiday days.

Managing Holiday Travel and Family Gatherings

The beginning of these time-sharing plans should include communication between parents. It should be established whether children will be traveling and whether this will affect their agreed-upon time-share plan, family game play, going out, etc.

A holiday time-sharing schedule may even include travel notices, sharing travel schedules, travel arrangements, and much more. Parents should check their “current” court order and legal responsibilities before traveling out of the state or country.

As far as reasonably practicable, parents should plan for important family events to enable children to have significant relationships with both parties. If a trip will require a change to the schedule, the parent(s) will explicitly provide their permission and the dates and times of the change.

Travel plans can be arranged, and communication would be respectful, to ensure that children are not involved in a parent’s conflict whilst they are enjoying their holiday.

Avoiding and settling into Holiday Schedule conflicts peacefully

Disagreements can still occur even with a parenting plan. In case of any conflict, don’t forget to refer to the Florida court-approved contract! The signed Parenting Plan is your source of authority for your times.

Preserve your communication with your spouse in writing to address unanticipated changes. Make sure to record schedule changes in writing via emails and parenting apps. The schedule should be welcoming to the children and discussed politely.

Why Is It Important to Craft a Balanced Holiday Season

Parents should review the parenting plan early and coordinate holiday schedules in advance. This can be beneficial for both parents and children. It includes discussing:

Camp registrations
Vacation dates
Required travel details before traveling
Mentioning special dates to reduce visitation hassle

Communicating early means less conflict and an easier custody schedule to follow. Follow these basic tips to ensure the process runs smoothly:

Plan: Always check the holiday schedule 1 month in advance.
Pack early: Make sure your kids’ clothes and other special presents are packed in advance.
A calm environment is important to maintain a welcoming feel. It helps keep your children calm throughout the vacation during this tough time.
Early coordination can help review parenting plans and travel arrangements before the break.

Updating Your Legal Agreement in Florida

The life circumstances of children change as they get older. These initial agreements may need to be modified over time. When a significant and permanent change in circumstances occurs, Florida law permits parents to modify the parenting plan.

To make changes to the official schedule, a formal petition must be filed with the Florida circuit court. This is because, with a qualified family law attorney, all modifications are made in accordance with the law.

Contact Coleman Law Group for family law guidance

After a divorce, careful legal tactics and drafting are essential in planning holiday schedules. Coleman Law Group assists parents in developing effective parenting plans in Florida while ensuring the preservation of children’s rights and well-being. Under Florida law, our attorneys at Coleman Law Group will help you through the negotiation, drafting, and court modification process.

Call Coleman Law Group today at +1 (7272140400) or aheartforpeople@clgfl.com to schedule your consultation and give your family peace of mind.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – NO LEGAL ADVICE / NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP:
The information provided by Coleman Law Group, P.A., through its website, webinars, emails, templates, guides, and other resources is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Your use of this information or participation in any CLG program or communication with our firm through non-engagement channels does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Constance D. Coleman

Constance D. Coleman founded Coleman Law Group with a single mission: to serve people with dignity, compassion, and unwavering advocacy. With a B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, she built a bilingual, client-centred firm dedicated to helping families navigate immigration matters—including green cards, naturalization, and humanitarian relief—as well as personal injury claims. Her guiding belief remains simple: every client deserves to be heard, understood, and protected. At the Coleman Law Group, we truly have a heart for people.