Christmas and Co-Parenting: What happens with the kids? Orders, Family Court Deadlines & Handovers

🎧 Listen to this episode if…

• You have no idea what's happening with the kids this Christmas

• Your ex just announced their Christmas plans like it's already decided

• You didn't know there's a family court deadline in November

• You want Christmas clauses in your orders with no wriggle room

• Every handover is a fight and you're dreading the silly season

⚠️ Disclaimer: General information only, not legal advice. Based on Australian family law (WA differs). Always get independent legal advice.

🛟 This episode discusses family violence and coercive control. If you're in danger call 000. Support: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) | Orange Door | Lifeline 13 11 14.

About this episode:

What about Christmas morning? What if there are no orders and your ex announces the plan like it's done? Mum and I cover the family court Christmas deadline, what to do if you have no orders, your options; changeover on the day, alternating blocks, or letting Christmas fall where it lands and how to make sure your christmas plans have no loopholes

⏱️ Timeline

00:00 – Who Gets Christmas Morning?

01:30 – Family Violence Warning & Disclaimer

03:00 – Why Christmas Is Chaos in Family Law Offices

04:00 – Your First Christmas Separated

05:30 – The Creep Strategy at Christmas

06:30 – The Court Deadline: Second Friday in November

08:00 – Why Christmas Isn't Legally "Urgent"

09:30 – Your Ex Just Announces the Plan? What to Do

12:30 – Propose a Child-Focused Plan in Writing

14:30 – Already in Court? Interim Applications

16:00 – Don't Poke the Bear vs a Dog Off the Leash

18:30 – Too Afraid to Ask? You've Been Trained

20:30 – Reasonable Question + Crazy Response = Proof

22:30 – Option 1: Changeover on Christmas Day

24:00 – Changeover by Divorce Personality Type

26:00 – Option 2: Christmas Eve–Boxing Day Alternate Years

26:30 – The Travel Trap in Christmas Orders

27:30 – Presents That Can't Travel: The Clause You Need

28:30 – Option 3: Let Christmas Fall Where It Lands

29:00 – How School Holidays Are Split in Orders

30:00 – Gazetted Holidays and Pupil-Free Day Traps

32:00 – Contact Centres at Christmas: Book Now

33:30 – Christmas Phone Call Clauses

35:30 – Handover Locations: Drive There First

38:30 – Do Kids Get a Say?

40:00 – Parenting Plan vs Consent Orders

41:00 – Why Exes Misbehave in December

42:30 – Non-Compliance and Enforcement

44:30 – Making It Watertight: Times, Not Descriptions

47:30 – The Lateness Rule at Handover

48:30 – No Wriggle Room & the Spirit of the Orders

51:50 – Your October Checklist

53:00 – The Notice of Intention to File

56:00 – Rapid Fire: Presents, No-Shows, Three Strikes

58:30 – New Partners at Changeover

1:01:30 – Plans for Every Divorce Personality Type

1:07:50 – Kidsmas

🎧 Episodes mentioned:

The Creep Strategy Exposed (Ep 336) →

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/domestic-violence-in-custody-battles-the-creep/id1503451022?i=1000788566797

Separated for the Holidays? (Ep 178) →

https://youtu.be/tdDduzuSK8I?si=3dUJ6YitO0TTXnFT

Co-Parenting & the School Holidays (Ep 78) → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flibR76WrNc

Divorce Holiday Survival Guide (Ep 224) → https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/divorce-holiday-survival-guide-how-to-communicate-when/id1503451022?i=1000740365814

📞 1800 RESPECT — 1800 737 732 | Orange Door | Lifeline — 13 11 14 | Police — 000

🌐 www.thedivorcecourse.com.au – free resources + DIY Divorce Blueprint (Module 3 parenting templates)

If this helped you get ahead of Christmas, please subscribe, like and share so others can find it too.

All our best,

Laura & Lyn Your Guides By Your Side