HOLIDAY TIME AND CHILD CUSTODY IN UTAH: WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW

The holiday season is meant to be joyful—but for separated or divorced parents, it can also be stressful.

Deciding where your child spends the holidays often becomes one of the most emotional parts of any custody agreement.

At Daniel W. McKay & Associates, PLLC, we help Utah parents create and manage parenting plans that support both legal clarity and family peace.
Whether you’re facing your first post-divorce holiday season or looking to update an existing agreement, here’s what you need to know.

How Holidays Are Handled in Utah Parenting Plans

In Utah, child custody agreements typically include a holiday schedule that takes priority over the regular weekly schedule.
These holiday arrangements should be clear, balanced, and tailored to each family’s unique traditions.

Most parenting plans alternate major holidays each year. For example:

One parent may have Thanksgiving in even-numbered years and Christmas Eve in odd-numbered years.
The other parent might get New Year’s Day or the entire spring break in alternating years.

Some parents agree to split holidays, especially if they live nearby and the child can comfortably spend part of the day with each parent.

Common Holidays Included in Custody Schedules

A typical holiday schedule might address:

Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Spring break
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day
Easter
Fourth of July
Halloween
The child’s birthday
Religious or cultural holidays
Long weekends or school breaks

Utah courts usually favor schedules that allow the child to maintain traditions and meaningful time with both parents.

Tips for Reducing Conflict Over Holiday Time

Holiday-related custody conflicts are unfortunately common—but they don’t have to be. Here are a few ways to make things smoother:

Plan early – Last-minute decisions often lead to disputes. Start discussing plans at least a month ahead.
Stick to the court order – If your agreement outlines the schedule, follow it unless you both agree to a change in writing.
Be flexible – Sometimes, compromise makes more sense than a battle. Consider adjusting plans if travel, illness, or special events are involved.
Keep the focus on the child – Ask what will make the holiday joyful for them—not just what feels fair to you.

What If There’s No Holiday Schedule in Place?

If your existing custody order doesn’t include a holiday plan—or if it’s vague or outdated—you may need to file a modification with the court.
Utah judges will look at the child’s best interests and each parent’s ability to foster a positive co-parenting relationship.

If you and the other parent can’t agree, a judge may intervene and issue a holiday schedule as part of the broader custody arrangement.

How We Can Help

At Daniel W. McKay & Associates, PLLC, we help parents:

Draft and negotiate holiday parenting schedules
Resolve disputes over seasonal time-sharing
Modify outdated custody orders
Enforce holiday schedules if the other parent is noncompliant

Whether you’re trying to keep the peace this year or need to revisit your plan altogether, our experienced family law attorneys are here to support you.

Call (801) 798-8000
Visit dmckaylaw.com

Call us at (801) 798-8000