By Ahsha Mootz
The holiday season is typically filled with love, joy, and happiness. However, for couples going through divorce, it can be draining and not enjoyable. Here at West Coast Family Mediation, we strive to ensure that couples remain as amicable and respectful of each other as possible. While this is not always the case, there are ways that we can assist in making the holidays a lot less stressful if you are going through the mediation process.
Is it possible to pause work on my case through the Holidays?
Absolutely! One of the advantages of mediation is that it can move at the pace both parties are comfortable with. If you feel the holidays may stall progress or need more time to get documents to the office, just let your mediator know you’d like to pause work and resume in the new year. West Coast Family Mediation will also close the offices from Christmas Eve Day (12/24/24) through New Year’s Day (1/1/25) so that our office and clients can focus on spending time with their families.
What if I want to have my dissolution final before the end of the year?
This depends on where you are in your case. Every year, we check in with clients who may be able to finalize their divorce before the court’s year-end filing deadline. If your case is close to completion, our team will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure your judgment is filed with the court on time.
We have not yet reached a final parenting agreement. What does this mean for the holidays with the children?
If you think this could be an issue during the holidays, we recommend that both parties reach an agreement on their own or with the help of a mediator. A mediation session can help create a holiday schedule that works for everyone.
Can we use mediation to create a temporary holiday agreement if we haven’t finalized our divorce?
Yes, you can create a temporary holiday agreement through mediation, even if your divorce isn’t finalized. This agreement can cover holiday plans, visitation schedules, and other issues that may arise during this time, ensuring the holidays go as smoothly as possible for everyone involved.
I want to buy gifts but am worried about moving money from the accounts.
Both parties should discuss and agree upon this, especially regarding the amount that can be used. If you and your co-parent cannot agree, then you should discuss that with your mediator. However, if you have a separate account that is not community property, you may be able to use those funds at your discretion.
The West Coast Family Mediation team is here to help make the holidays a little easier for everyone. If you have any questions during the holidays while you are going through the process with us, please reach out to our office, and someone will be happy to discuss them with you or schedule a time with your mediator. If you are looking to speak with a mediator for a free fifteen-minute informational call, please call the office or fill out the contact form to get scheduled.