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Originally published: December 2025 | Reviewed by Scott A. Levine
The holidays bring both joy and stress, especially for parents who share custody. If your current parenting plan doesn’t align with your Christmas plans, you might wonder whether it’s too late to make changes.
Yes, you can change your holiday parenting plan in Florida before Christmas. Your options depend on whether both parents agree, the urgency of the issue, and whether you need a one-time adjustment or a permanent modification.
Florida courts recognize the importance of both parents spending time with their kids during the holidays. Sometimes, the schedule that made sense at first just doesn’t work out.
Maybe your job changed, family is flying in, or your kids now have their own traditions. Life happens, right?
When the schedule falls apart, parents have a few ways to handle it. The best path depends on whether both parents agree, how urgent the problem is, and whether this is a one-off or something that keeps popping up every year.
In Florida, parents can address many holiday issues with a one-time written agreement, but lasting changes to Christmas or winter break schedules require a formal modification of the parenting plan.
If both parents agree, they can swap holiday time or adjust pickup times for Christmas 2025 without going to court. This kind of informal change works when, say, one parent has to travel for work or family gatherings, or when dates shift.
It’s smart to put any agreement in writing—a text, email, or even a signed note. Spell out the dates, times, and which parent has the child. Make it clear that this change only applies to this holiday season.
These swaps don’t actually change the official parenting plan on file. If someone later complains about a violation, the written agreement serves as proof that both parties agreed. Hang on to all messages about holiday time-sharing changes—just in case.
Changing fixed holidays in a parenting plan needs court approval. A parent must file a petition and prove that circumstances have changed significantly since the original order.
Courts consider new work schedules, moves, and the child’s changing needs and wishes. The petition should explain why the current Christmas setup no longer fits the child’s best interests.
Maybe someone moved to another state, work shifts now clash with pickups, or older kids want more time with extended family.
Florida law says parents must show substantial changes before a judge will update the plan. Wanting a new arrangement or extra time isn’t enough.
Levine Family Law can review your holiday parenting plan now so December doesn’t turn into a crisis over Christmas time-sharing—schedule a Florida-focused consultation today.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
Trying to change parenting plans in December is tough. Courts have tight deadlines, and judges get booked up, so emergency requests and very focused, time-sensitive motions are usually the only realistic options this late in the game.
Courts usually want to keep things as they are during the holidays unless a child is in immediate danger. Judges know last-minute changes can really mess with a kid’s sense of safety and routine.
Florida courts will generally only modify parenting plans in December if there is a serious safety concern, such as:
Regular disagreements about fairness or preference just don’t cut it. Courts want clear proof that sticking with the current plan would actually harm the child.
Most judges won’t change holiday custody schedules just because one parent thinks it’s unfair. When Christmas is weeks away, the child’s stability matters more than a parent’s convenience.
If parents get along, they can usually adjust their time-sharing by mutual agreement without running to court. The trick is knowing when informal changes are okay and how to document them so nobody gets burned later.
Minor swaps for just this holiday season usually don’t need court approval. One parent may want Christmas Eve this year and offer New Year’s Day in exchange. That kind of trade is fine as an informal deal.
Adjusting your holiday parenting plan is easier when you have a decent co-parenting relationship.
Changes that don’t mess with the regular schedule fit here. For instance, switching Thanksgiving this year but sticking with the usual alternating pattern going forward is no big deal.
Just make sure the arrangement doesn’t change child support or shift the yearly time split by much. Temporary changes that revert after the holidays are the safest for informal agreements.
Even simple changes need to be in writing. List the exact dates and times you’re modifying.
Spell out which parent has the child for each modified holiday period, with clear pickup and drop-off times. Note how it affects this year’s alternating holiday schedule. Both parents should sign and date it.
A co-parenting app can keep a timestamped record. Texts and emails work too if they show both parents agreed.
Sometimes you need legal help, even if you both agree. If the change affects child support or living arrangements, file a modification with the court.
If one parent later refuses to follow the informal deal, talk to a lawyer. Without court approval, the original plan still stands. A lawyer can help turn your agreement into a court order.
If you can’t agree on what was decided, or if the other parent has a history of ignoring deals, get a judge to approve the change first. It’s just safer that way.
Sometimes, informal agreements just don’t cut it. Parents may need the court to officially change the plan. Florida courts want proof of real-life changes and always put the child’s needs first.
Florida law says you need a material change in circumstances before a judge will update a parenting plan or time-sharing order. Judges don’t just hand out changes because someone wants a new schedule.
For holiday time-sharing, big changes might include:
Minor hassles don’t count. Wanting different dates or more time isn’t enough—you have to show lasting, fundamental changes.
Florida courts handle modifications to parenting plans with care because stability is so important for kids. The parent who wants the change has to prove their case.
Even if you show a significant change, the court still has to decide if a new holiday schedule is best for the child. Florida parenting plans are court orders meant to keep life stable for kids.
Judges look at things like:
Older children’s wishes might matter if they can explain their reasons. The court also checks for any history of violence or substance abuse.
A parent must show that changing holiday time-sharing will actually improve the child’s situation. Just wanting equal Christmas days doesn’t cut it.
Parents who want to modify their parenting plan formally need to file certain paperwork with the family court. Every Florida county has forms available through the clerk of the court’s office.
Required documents typically include:
Most Florida courts run self-help centers where parents can get free forms and some basic guidance. These centers won’t give legal advice, but they do help folks better understand court procedures.
Parents should provide written explanations for why they’re seeking changes and why the modifications actually help the child. If you can back up your request with evidence, especially when the other parent disagrees, it really helps.
Filing fees vary by county but usually range from $200 to $400. If a parent can’t afford court costs, fee waivers may be available.
Need clarity on one-time swaps versus permanent changes? Talk through real options with Levine Family Law and protect your holidays—schedule a strategy session now.
If you’re ready to get started, call us now!
If your holiday plan is broken, enforcement is used when someone won’t follow the order, while modification is used when the schedule itself no longer works for your child.
Which route makes sense? Well, it depends on the problem and how soon you need a solution—especially if Christmas is coming fast.
Enforcement is triggered when a parent violates the existing holiday time-sharing schedule. Maybe someone refuses to follow the court order, won’t return the child on time, or blocks a scheduled holiday visit.
If that happens, a parent can file a motion for civil contempt and/or enforcement of the parenting plan. The court might order make-up time, require the parent who broke the rules to pay attorney’s fees, or impose other penalties.
Common violations requiring enforcement:
Enforcement doesn’t change the parenting plan—it just forces both parents to stick to what’s already in the court order.
This route usually moves faster than modification, since the judge just needs to see if someone broke the rules, not whether a change is best for the child.
Modification of a parenting plan makes sense when the holiday schedule itself is the problem—not just violations. Parents have to show a big change in circumstances, or that the current plan actually hurts the child.
Valid reasons for changing a holiday schedule might include a parent’s new work hours, relocation that makes the old plan impossible, or the child’s changing needs as they get older.
Florida courts want proof that a modification benefits the child. Just preferring different dates or wanting more time for yourself won’t cut it.
Changes that may justify modification:
The modification process takes longer and has stricter legal requirements than enforcement.
Parents can request emergency changes only if the child faces a serious, immediate risk of harm. Just being inconvenienced or having a scheduling conflict doesn’t count as an emergency, even if it’s the holidays.
Courts rarely grant emergency changes to holiday schedules unless there are credible concerns about abuse, neglect, abduction risk, or something similarly serious. If there’s a true emergency, a parent needs to file a verified motion that spells out the danger and explains why waiting would hurt the child.
For non-emergency issues close to the holidays, parents should try informal agreements first. If both parents agree to a temporary change, they can adjust the holiday schedule themselves for that year without going to court.
It’s smart to get any agreed changes in writing—text or email is fine. That way, both parents have proof of what they agreed to, just in case things get confusing later.
If Christmas is just around the corner and the current schedule won’t work, parents need to move quickly.
Starting with clear communication and looking for faster options like mediation can save a lot of headaches (and time) compared to going straight to court.
Write out any request to change the schedule, even if you plan to talk about it in person first. A written proposal outlines the changes you want and why. Include the exact dates, times, and pickup spots for the new holiday plan.
Be upfront about why you need the change. Work called you in, or your kid has a special event. A little honesty goes a long way in co-parenting, and it shows you’re acting in good faith.
Send the proposal by email or through a co-parenting app. That way, you’ve got a record of the request and any replies.
If your co-parent agrees, both of you should sign the new schedule to make it official between you—even if it’s just for this year.
Mediation gives parents a faster route than dragging things through court when they can’t agree on holiday changes. A neutral mediator guides both parents through their concerns and helps them find something that works. Many mediators can squeeze you in within days, not weeks.
Some even offer emergency or expedited sessions just for urgent holiday issues. The mediator keeps things on track, but the parents still make the decisions.
In lawyer-assisted negotiation, each parent’s attorney works with the other to hammer out an agreement.
If emotions run high or communication breaks down, this approach can keep things moving and help everyone stay focused on the kids.
If it’s already too late to change this Christmas through the courts, parents can still file a modification request for future holidays. Judges want to see a real change in circumstances—such as a new job, a move, or a shift in the child’s needs.
The court process isn’t quick. It often stretches out for weeks or months. Filing now gives you a shot at having a new schedule in place for spring break, summer, or next Christmas.
In the meantime, parents have to stick to their current court order for the holiday that’s right around the corner.
Some parents decide to follow a new, agreed schedule while waiting for the judge’s decision. Still, the original court order stays legally binding until the judge signs off on a new one.
In Florida, you can change a holiday parenting plan before Christmas if you approach it the right way. When both parents agree, they can work together to create a new setup that fits everyone’s needs.
If parents can’t agree, the court might need to step in and help sort things out. The whole thing can take time, so it’s smart to act quickly if you want to update your holiday schedule before December sneaks up on you.
It’s a good idea for parents to keep detailed notes about any problems with the current schedule. That kind of documentation helps if you need to show the court why a change makes sense.
Planning for holiday time-sharing helps avoid last-minute drama and keeps things less stressful for the kids. When parents communicate clearly, those transitions go a lot smoother—even in the chaos of the holidays.
Because every family’s situation is different, it’s wise to talk with a Florida family law attorney before making big decisions about changing your holiday parenting plan.
Ready to update a parenting plan that no longer fits your family’s holidays? Take the next step and schedule a consultation with Levine Family Law.
Can I change my holiday parenting plan in Florida before Christmas?
Yes. You can change your holiday parenting plan in Florida before Christmas through a written agreement with your co-parent or, if needed, a formal court-approved modification.
Do both parents have to agree to change the holiday schedule?
For a one-time change this year, both parents must agree in writing. If you can’t agree, you may need to ask the court to enforce or modify the parenting plan.
What’s the difference between a one-time holiday change and modifying the parenting plan?
A one-time change is a temporary adjustment for this season only and doesn’t alter the court order. A modification permanently changes the parenting plan and requires court approval.
Can I get an emergency change to the holiday schedule in Florida?
Emergency holiday changes are rare and usually granted only when a child faces serious, immediate risk, such as abuse, neglect, or abduction concerns—not just scheduling conflicts or fairness issues.
What happens if my co-parent won’t follow our holiday parenting plan?
If your co-parent ignores the holiday plan, document what happened and consider filing a motion for civil contempt and/or enforcement to request make-up time or other remedies.
Do I need a “substantial change in circumstances” to modify the holiday schedule?
Yes. To permanently change the holiday schedule, you generally must show a substantial, lasting change in circumstances and prove that a new plan is in your child’s best interests.
What should I document if I may ask to change the holiday plan later?
Save messages about missed exchanges, late returns, schedule conflicts, and any safety concerns, along with your written proposals to fix issues. This record can support enforcement or modification later.
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