Christmas Parent-time in 2021

In 2021, the noncustodial parent gets the first half of the Christmas school vacation, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It lasts until 1 p.m. on the day halfway through the holiday (if there are an odd number of days) or 7 p.m. (if there are an even number of days) so long as the entire holiday period is equally divided. The custodial parent gets the second half of the school break.

For example, in 2021 the Davis County Utah school district celebrates winter break from December 17, 2021 through January 2, 2022. This would give the noncustodial parent time from December 17 after school through December 25 (Christmas Day) at 7pm. The custodial parent would then get December 25 at 7pm until January 2 at 7pm.

However if you were following the Weber County Utah school district calendar, winter break runs from December 21 through January 2. That would give the noncustodial parent time from December 21 after school through December 27 at 7pm. The custodial parent would then get December 27 at 7pm through January 2 at 7pm.

Figuring out when to exchange kids halfway through the Christmas break can be challenging for parents because of the awkward way the Utah Code calculates the exchange time. It does not help that school districts throughout the state have different schedules. For this reason you may have divorced friends who do not exchange their children on the same date and time as you.

If you have one child, Christmas break begins the evening the child is released from school until the evening before the child returns to school. If you have multiple children on different schedules, the kids should remain together for the holiday period beginning the first evening all the children’s schools are let out for the holiday and ending the evening before any child returns to school.

Different rules may apply if you live 150 miles or more apart or have children under age 5. (Under the standard out-of-state schedule the custodial parent gets the winter school break in even-numbered years like 2021). Also, not every order follows the standard holiday schedule. If your order contains different rules, you should follow the specific rules in your court order. (For example, some parents might agree to not exchange their kids on Christmas day itself).

Are you not getting the holiday parent-time you deserve? Give the lawyers at Wiser & Wiser a call today at 855-254-2600.