Discussing “how to survive the holidays” during the holidays is a pretty standard article for people to write. For many clients, such articles allow for self-reflection on how they approach the holidays and their interaction with their ex-spouse; or it helps build some confidence that they will manage the uncomfortable situations which arise around extended family. The problem is, if you are a client looking for advice on how to deal with holiday-related legal issues during the holidays, it is already too late to do anything. Due to scheduling constraints, attorney or client availability, negotiations and conferences, dealing with, for example, a Christmas issue should really begin in September or October.

Consequently, now that the winter holidays are nearly behind us, the next major source of friction for many people is how they are going to handle their kids’ summer vacations and educational decisions. Which camp? How many camps? When will you take vacation? Where is the vacation and who will be there? Who will be covering the kids? Who gets priority on choosing vacation weeks? Should there be a change in schools or extracurricular activities?

Addressing any or all of these questions cannot first occur in May. The earlier they can be addressed the greater the probability they will be worked out between the parties or, failing that, allow for enough time to take the issue to Court and have a decision rendered. Do not wait too long – the court will not consider a summer issue an “emergency” and allow for an expedited hearing simply because there is little time between when the disagreement occurred and when a decision must be made. You may find that petition slotted into the non-emergency hearing list and the ultimate decision affecting your 2016 summer instead of 2015.

Many family law attorneys notice a bump in their cases right after the holidays. People often wait to address issues until they have made it through this time of year and have the time and space away from friends and family to deal with a deeply personal issue such as divorce, or address a potentially contentious custodial issue. Having survived the holidays, or perhaps as a result of what happened over the holidays, they need to discuss their options or pursue an action. It is also a good time to take stock of what may come up in the near future.

This time of year is ideal for looking at the next six months in order to alleviate some of the stress and concern they may have about summer vacations or child care coverage when the kids are out of school. If you think that there may be a legal or logistical issue over the summer or following school year, it is worth the call to your attorney to review your custody order or the applicable agreement and see whether you need to address your concern sooner rather than later. You may save yourself significant amounts of money, aggravation, and disappointment.

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Aaron Weems is an attorney and editor of the Pennsylvania Family Law Blog. Aaron is a partner in Fox Rothschild’s Blue Bell, Pennsylvania office and practices throughout the greater Philadelphia region. Aaron can be reached at 610-397-7989; aweems@foxrothschild.com, and on Twitter@AaronWeemsAtty.