The Festive Season – Are you Prepared?
The stress and organisation involved in preparing for the fast approaching festive season is even more palpable for those families in the midst of a separation. The Carew Counsel Team have put together a few handy hints to help you and your family sail smoothly into the New Year.
CERTAINTY
Have you and your former spouse reached agreement on arrangements for the children during the school holiday period? For the avoidance of any doubt, why not create a calendar of those arrangements. You might also like to download the “Our Family Wizard” App– it has an online calendar, as well as a message service.
Will the other parent be going interstate or overseas with the children? Has that parent provided you with the necessary itinerary details including flights and accommodation?
ORGANISATION
Do you have Orders in place that provide for who the children live with and spend time with over the school holiday period? Check your understanding of the Orders with your lawyer to ensure you and the other parent are on the same page. The last thing you want is a dispute the week before Christmas – it is best to clarify arrangements now.
Have you worked out arrangements for the children’s return to school? Who will be responsible for uniforms, stationary and reading lists? Have any necessary school forms for next year been signed by both parents and submitted to the school?
Do you need to make arrangements with the other parent regarding the children’s extra-curricular activities for next year including finalising enrolments and working out who will be responsible for fees and uniforms?
KNOWLEDGE
Find out if your lawyer is going on leave over the festive season. Most law firms are shut from about the 20th of December until the 7th of January each year. Do any key dates for your family fall during this period that you will need your lawyer’s advice on? Do you know who to contact in the event of an emergency? The Christmas period is a busy time for everyone so be sure to give your lawyer enough time to assist you.Most
