Parent Visitation Rights: Holidays & Vacations in Tennessee

Questions about visitation rights? A Germantown, Tennessee child custody lawyer can explain the laws surrounding visitation and make sure your legal rights are protected. Two areas in which parents may disagree regarding visitation are holidays and vacations. Alternating holidays is one way to make it fair.

For instance, one year the child’s birthday could be spent with one parent and the following year with the other. Other holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. could be divided. Some holidays have more weight than others, so it is courteous to take this into account when planning the year’s visits.

For example, all holidays during the first six months of the year may be spent with one parent and holidays during the last six months of the year with the other parent. Winter breaks – which tend to give the child long breaks from school and during which some holidays may fall – may be split if the parents live near each other and it is feasible to do so.

Regarding vacations with the child, sometimes the non-custodial parent may get first choice of when to take the child on vacation. No matter who gets first choice, though, there are some rules that will always apply. For instance, a vacation cannot fall during school.

Both parents are allowed the opportunity to spend vacation time with their children, but it cannot be for an extended amount of time in most cases. An example would be taking the child on vacation for a month. This would likely be considered unreasonable.

When there is a violation of visitation rights or a refusal to return the child, the offending parent could be held in contempt of court. If your ex-spouse is in violation of a court order, seek legal counsel. An attorney may be helpful when dealing with various issues pertaining to divorce or child custody, including out-of-town parent visitation issues.

For more, see 10 Tips for Avoiding Stressful Visitation Problems During the Holidays.

Seeking Help from a Custody Attorney

Contact a divorce attorney at the Miles Mason Family Law Group to learn about your rights. Our law firm serves residents in Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, along with areas in Eastern Arkansas and West Tennessee. To help prepare for your case, download our free eBook, Your First Steps:  7 Steps Planning Your Tennessee Divorce. Call us today at 901-683-1850 to set up a consultation with a Germantown child custody lawyer.