I was recently surprised by a flurry of social media activity advising me that there is less than 6 weeks until Christmas and I won’t deny that my heart skipped a beat.
This reaction was not because I was worried that the time frame was too short to find things to fill my son’s Santa sack, or that I was panicking about the Christmas lunch menu that has been delegated to my sister and I because our older more culinary sister is refusing to cooperate this year. My stress was because it was a timely reminder that I need to raise the issue of Christmas with all my Family Law clients.
Every year the Federal and Family Circuit Court gives lawyers a cut off date by which any application that seeks to deal with Orders concerning Christmas needs to be filed. If an application is not filed by the required date the Court will not have the opportunity to deal with it prior to the Christmas break. As yet that date has not been set but I would expect that notice will be issued shortly.
Ideally of course an agreement would be reached between parents regarding Christmas and other special occasions well in advance of the event, meaning special days can be shared and enjoyed by all, without conflict.
If you are yet to reach an agreement with your family about how Christmas will be shared, contact one of our experienced family lawyers as soon as possible.
