Halloween is a fun excuse to dress up, eat candy and be a kid again.
However, you may only get this chance if your divorce papers allow it! Halloween is not a “real” holiday, and while admittedly it has a relatively short shelf-life on being magical, it’s still a fun experience.
Halloween is not in the Court’s standard schedule and not a Federal Holiday. So, if you want it you better address it and/or ask the Court for the day or that it be alternated between the parents.
Don’t only count on the other parent to be reasonable. Sometimes they are NOT!
Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody lawyer in Mississippi and reminds you to consult the calendar when devising a custody schedule.
It’s Halloween. A day of costumes, candy and having fun. Often, Halloween is not addressed in the divorced parent’s papers. It is after all, not a “real” holiday. However, I usually include Halloween in custody schedules.
While not a real holiday, it is nonetheless an important day in your child’s life. From picking out the costume to sneaking a Reese’s, memories are certainly made and then cherished.
Halloween is not a “real” holiday. School is not out, banks are not closed, the Post Office still does their thing.
Halloween is also overlooked in Child Custody Visitation Agreements. It is not in the Court’s “standard” visitation schedule. Also, Halloween is a moving target. It’s not always a weekend. Due to this it can result in one parent “having” the holiday more than the other and the other parent’s “rights” dependent solely on the whim of the calendar. Sometimes this is not a problem when mom and dad get along, but sometimes this is used against the other parent. Put Halloween in your papers if you have young children. It’s a fun day and a special time!
Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody/Visitation lawyer in Mississippi and warns that if you don;t want to be scared on whether or not you have rights to Halloween visitation, it is best to put it in your papers.
Halloween gets no respect from divorce attorneys. No, Halloween is not the reincarnated Rodney Dangerfield. It’s just that in the divorce world Halloween is not a “real” holiday. It is not recognized either nationally or by the state. You do not get to miss school or skip work. The banks and post office are still open, unlike a “real” holiday. However, Halloween is nonetheless important!
Happy Halloween!
I oftentimes put provisions for visitation on Halloween in my agreements. It is usually met with an awkward response by the other attorney saying,”you know that’s not a real holiday, right?” However, Halloween is a real holiday to your kids. Dressing up, trick or treating, hay rides, wagon rides, pumpkin carving and eating candy – What is not to love about Halloween?!?
Admittedly, Halloween does have a relatively short shelf life. From around the age of 3 or 4 to about 13 is as long as it lasts and thereafter becomes a night of mischief. But for those ten years or so – if you solely rely on the weekend rotation to get “your” Halloween, you may only get two. Halloween is always a moving target with regards to what day of the week it falls upon. Halloween needs to be addressed if you have young children.
(601) 850-8000 - - BowTieLawyer.MS 