Parent-Time During the Holiday Season 2018
The holiday season is upon us, and many divorced and single parents need to prepare and plan for your holiday season parent-time this time of year.
Understanding how parent-time functions during the holidays will help you plan family vacations, time with relatives, ensure you know how much time you can spend with your children during this season.
How much parent-time you are allotted for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas/Winter break depends on the parent-time arrangement you have with your ex-spouse/other parent and with the court. If your schedule is the schedule in Utah Code § 30-3-35 or § 30-3-35.1, this is how it will look:
Under § 30-3-35
During even numbered years, the noncustodial parent is awarded:
– Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;
– the Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.; and
– the second portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Utah Code Subsection 30-3-32(3)(b), beginning 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday period, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday period, or at 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so long as the entire Christmas holiday period is equally divided.
Under § 30-3-35.1
During even numbered years, the noncustodial parent is awarded:
– Halloween on October 31 or the day Halloween is traditionally celebrated in the local community from after school until 9 p.m. if on a school day, or from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.;
– the Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. until the morning school starts at the end of the holiday (and the noncustodial parent is required to return the child to school);
– the second portion of the Christmas school vacation as defined in Utah Code Subsection 30-3-32(3)(b), beginning 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday period, if there are an odd number of days for the holiday period, or at 7 p.m. if there are an even number of days for the holiday period, so long as the entire Christmas holiday period is equally divided. The noncustodial parent keeps the child with him/her until the morning school starts at the end of the holiday (and the noncustodial parent is required to return the child to school).
Remember: If you have worked out another parent-time schedule that does not follow Utah Code §30-3-35 or §30-3-35.1, your holiday season parent-time will not be dictated or governed by the Utah Code. Be sure to understand what your holiday parent-time will look like, and discuss any additional arrangements you would like to make with your ex-spouse.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277