-- As the holiday season approaches, many San Antonio families going through a divorce face a difficult new challenge: figuring out how to divide time with their children during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. San Antonio divorce lawyer Joseph Lassen, serving families throughout Bexar County, TX, is offering guidance to help separating parents navigate holiday custody schedules with less conflict and more clarity.
"The holidays are already emotional, and divorce adds another layer to that," said Joseph Lassen, founder of the Law Firm of Joseph Lassen. "I see the same question every year: how do we split time with the kids so everyone feels like the holidays weren't taken away from them? The answer starts with a clear, written parenting plan — not last-minute negotiating."
San Antonio divorce attorney Joseph Lassen, founder of the Law Firm of Joseph Lassen, serving families throughout San Antonio and Bexar County, TX.
Why Holiday Parenting Time Requires Special Planning
Under Texas family law, a standard possession order typically alternates major holidays between parents each year, but the details — pickup and drop-off times, whether holidays are split or alternated in full, and how school breaks factor in — need to be spelled out clearly in the divorce decree or custody agreement. Without specific holiday provisions, parents are left to negotiate on the fly, which often leads to disputes right when families can least afford them.
A San Antonio divorce attorney can help parents build holiday provisions into their agreement that address:
Which parent has the children for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's in even versus odd years
Exact exchange times and locations to avoid confusion
How to handle extended family gatherings, travel, and school holiday breaks
What happens if a parent's work schedule changes around the holidays
A process for resolving disagreements without going back to court
Getting Ahead of Holiday Custody Disputes
"Parents don't need more stress going into the holidays," Joseph Lassen said. "They need a plan that's clear enough that nobody has to guess, and a divorce attorney who will fight for that clarity if it's not being offered voluntarily."
The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen encourages parents who are currently divorcing, or who already have a custody order without clear holiday terms, to address the issue well before the holiday season begins. Waiting until days before a holiday to resolve a scheduling dispute often limits the options available and increases the likelihood of conflict. Families throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities who are going through a divorce or need help establishing or clarifying holiday parenting time can schedule a free consultation with a divorce lawyer at the firm.
Common Questions Parents Ask About Holiday Custody
Does holiday parenting time override the regular custody schedule?
Yes. In most Texas parenting plans, designated holiday periods take priority over the regular week-to-week or weekend schedule, even if that means a parent misses their normal time with the child.
Can holiday parenting time be changed after the divorce is finalized?
It can, but only through a formal modification agreed to by both parents or approved by the court. An experienced divorce attorney can help parents document any temporary or permanent changes properly, protecting both sides from future disputes.
What if the other parent won't agree to a holiday schedule?
When parents can't agree, a Texas court will typically apply the standard possession order's default holiday terms. A divorce attorney can help push for a resolution before the holidays arrive, whether through negotiation, mediation, or a court hearing if necessary.
About The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen
The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen is a San Antonio-based family law practice owned and led by attorney Joseph Lassen, who has practiced law for more than 20 years, beginning his legal career in New York before establishing his firm in San Antonio, Texas. Before becoming an attorney, Joseph Lassen served with the NYPD as a 9/11 first responder and later worked as a prosecutor, an experience he says gives him a distinct, front-line understanding of how the legal system operates from every angle.
As a trusted San Antonio family law attorney, Joseph Lassen and his legal team handle a full range of family law matters, including divorce, high-asset divorce, military divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and property division. The firm is known for combining aggressive courtroom advocacy with individualized attention, helping clients throughout San Antonio and surrounding communities — including Alamo Heights, Alamo Ranch, Stone Oak, Helotes, Boerne, Bulverde, New Braunfels, Schertz, Selma, and Castle Hills — navigate divorce and family law matters with clarity and confidence.
Contact Info:
Name: Joseph Lassen
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Law Firm of Joseph Lassen
Address: 3519 Paesanos Pkwy #100, San Antonio, TX 78231
Phone: (210) 625-6540
Website: https://jlassenlaw.com/
Release ID: 89203763
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