Podcasts · The Divorce Course Podcast
Christmas and Co-Parenting: What happens with the kids? Orders, Family Court Deadlines & Handovers
· 1 h 10 min · Episode 339
Episode Christmas and Co-Parenting: What happens with the kids? Orders, Family Court Deadlines & Handovers
🎧 Listen to this episode if…
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You have no idea what's happening with the kids this Christmas
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Your ex just announced their Christmas plans like it's already decided
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You didn't know there's a family court deadline in November
•
You want Christmas clauses in your orders with no wriggle room
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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
Links in the notes 4
- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/domestic-violence-in-custody-battles-the-creep/id1503451022?i=1000788566797
- https://youtu.be/tdDduzuSK8I?si=3dUJ6YitO0TTXnFT
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flibR76WrNc
- https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/divorce-holiday-survival-guide-how-to-communicate-when/id1503451022?i=1000740365814
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