In a column published in Attorney at Law Magazine, Family Law Attorney Rebecca Palmer discusses the challenges and solutions for co-parenting during religious holidays after a separation or divorce, especially when parents have different faiths or religious practices. Her column highlights that faith-based celebrations, such as Passover and Easter—which overlap this year—can become sources of conflict regarding child custody and holiday schedules. Rebecca writes that if both parents share the same religious convictions, agreeing to attend religious services and spending time with extended family during the holidays is likely straightforward.

“However, the need for clear guidelines becomes extremely important in interfaith marriages, where unique religious beliefs and traditions add worship complexities,” writes Palmer. “The core difficulty lies in achieving a balance that honors each parent’s beliefs and aspirations for their child’s spiritual development.”

Palmer recommends that families work together respectfully, while keeping the children’s well-being as the top priority. Accordingly, a detailed parenting plan should spell out explicitly how religious holidays will be spent and with whom. This might even involve the children attending interfaith events, although both parents must agree. The plan for splitting time between the parents’ different faith observations is important—and remains so year-round.

“Seeking guidance from a mediator or a family law attorney familiar with local co-parenting statutes is always advisable,” Palmer says. “Their expertise ensures that the co-parenting plan accurately reflects the parents’ wishes and, most importantly, serves the child’s best interests during special religious occasions as well as throughout the entire year.”

Read the story in full; click here.