Christmas is traditionally a time for families to spend much needed quality time together, yet many will face difficulty over the festive season as families struggle to agree arrangements for children as a result of relationship breakdown.

Deciding where the children will eat their Christmas dinner is just one of many issues which can arise and turn this joyful time into a stressful and unhappy nightmare.

KBL’s specialist family team have a few tips to help this Christmas;

1/ Plan ahead – This will ensure time to deal with any disagreements. If assistance is required from a mediator, solicitor or an application has to be made to Court, there needs to be sufficient time to do this.

2/ Be amicable –Try not to involve children or make them aware of how you are feeling.

3/ Be flexible – Remember that Christmas Day is only one day in a year, think about alternating the day.

4/ Put yourself in your children’s shoes – Ask yourself, how can they spend fun time with both parents?

It is always better to decide on the arrangements for your children yourselves, however, if this is not possible you may need to take legal advice on your options to ensure that these problems do not occur again next year.

The family law team at KBL Solicitors LLP have considerable experience in helping individuals in all sorts of different situations. We offer a sympathetic handling of each individual case, always aiming that children suffer minimally from their parents’ separation.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange an initial consultation please contact our family team:  Jane Davison or Lucy Yates on Bolton 01204 527777 or Blackburn 01254 268790 or email jdavison@kbl.co.uk  lyates@kbl.co.uk