Arkansas courts divide holiday parenting time by alternating major holidays annually between parents, with Christmas typically split into two halves at 2:00 p.m. on December 25th. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-13-101, the court awards custody based solely on the child's best interests, and this standard extends to holiday scheduling. Arkansas families can access up to 6 hours of free mediation through the Access and Visitation Mediation Program to resolve holiday disputes without litigation. The filing fee for custody modifications is $165 in most Arkansas counties as of March 2026.
Key Facts: Arkansas Holiday Custody
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $165 (most counties) |
| Waiting Period | 30 days minimum before finalization |
| Residency Requirement | 60 days before filing; 3 months before judgment |
| Custody Standard | Best interests of the child |
| Joint Custody | Rebuttable presumption in favor |
| Free Mediation | 6 hours through AR Access Program |
| Parenting Class | 2 hours minimum; $50-100 cost |
| Holiday Override | Holiday schedule supersedes regular visitation |
How Arkansas Courts Structure Holiday Custody Schedules
Arkansas courts structure holiday custody schedules using an alternating-year framework that ensures both parents share meaningful holiday time with their children. Under the standard Arkansas visitation model, the custodial parent receives Thanksgiving in even-numbered years from 6:00 p.m. on the last school day through 6:00 p.m. the following Sunday, while the non-custodial parent receives the same holiday block in odd-numbered years. Christmas is divided at 2:00 p.m. on December 25th, with one parent receiving the first half of winter break and the other receiving the second half, alternating annually. This structure applies statewide, though individual circuit courts in Benton, Washington, Sebastian, Crawford, and other counties may have specific local guidelines.
The holiday schedule always takes precedence over regular weekend visitation. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday during what would normally be the non-custodial parent's weekend, the holiday schedule controls rather than the regular rotation. Arkansas judges consistently enforce this override provision to prevent confusion and ensure children experience stability during special occasions.
Standard Arkansas Holiday Visitation Components
Arkansas standard visitation orders typically address these holidays:
- Thanksgiving: Wednesday 6:00 p.m. through Sunday 6:00 p.m.
- Christmas: Split at 2:00 p.m. on December 25th
- Easter/Spring Break: Full week or alternating years
- Summer: 6 weeks (often two 3-week blocks or two 15-day periods)
- Mother's Day: Always with mother regardless of schedule
- Father's Day: Always with father regardless of schedule
- Child's Birthday: Often alternating years or shared day
- Labor Day and Memorial Day: Attached to regular weekend rotation
Arkansas Holiday Custody Schedule by Holiday
Arkansas holiday custody schedules follow predictable patterns established by circuit court guidelines, though parents can negotiate custom arrangements. The standard framework ensures approximately equal holiday time over a two-year cycle, with specific exchange times designed to minimize conflict and maximize children's enjoyment of both households.
Thanksgiving Visitation in Arkansas
Arkansas courts award Thanksgiving visitation from 6:00 p.m. on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through 6:00 p.m. on the following Sunday. This 4-day block includes the holiday itself plus the entire weekend. One parent receives Thanksgiving in odd-numbered years (2025, 2027) while the other receives it in even-numbered years (2026, 2028). Under Judge Phillips' model schedule used in Arkansas's 15th Circuit, the visiting parent receives Thanksgiving from 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through 2:00 p.m. Sunday in their designated years.
The Thanksgiving schedule supersedes regular weekend visitation entirely. If Thanksgiving falls during a parent's normal custody weekend, that parent does not receive compensating time because the alternating holiday schedule is considered fair over the long term.
Christmas Custody in Arkansas
Arkansas divides Christmas vacation at 2:00 p.m. on December 25th, creating two distinct custody periods. The first half runs from 6:00 p.m. on the last day of school through 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Day. The second half runs from 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Day through 6:00 p.m. on the evening before school resumes. Parents alternate which half they receive each year.
For example, under a typical Arkansas Christmas custody schedule:
- Parent A (odd years): First half of Christmas break, ending 2:00 p.m. December 25th
- Parent A (even years): Second half of Christmas break, starting 2:00 p.m. December 25th
- Parent B (odd years): Second half of Christmas break
- Parent B (even years): First half of Christmas break
This arrangement ensures each parent hosts Christmas morning with the children every other year while the other parent enjoys Christmas evening and the remainder of winter break.
Easter and Spring Break Scheduling
Arkansas Easter and Spring Break custody typically alternates annually between parents or follows the regular weekend rotation with the full spring break week awarded to one parent. Some Arkansas counties treat Easter weekend (Friday through Sunday) as a separate holiday, while others incorporate it into the larger spring break period. The specific treatment depends on the circuit court's local guidelines and the school district's calendar.
Summer Custody in Arkansas
Arkansas courts award the non-custodial parent extended summer visitation, typically 6 weeks total. Some judicial circuits order this as one continuous 6-week block, while others divide it into two 3-week segments or two 15-day periods. Under the Arkansas Child Support Guidelines, a traditional visitation schedule assumes fewer than 141 overnight stays per year, while a liberal schedule exceeds 141 nights.
Parents must typically provide 30 days' written notice before their summer custody period begins. Summer visitation usually cannot interfere with the child's established summer activities, camps, or family vacations planned by the custodial parent.
Creating an Enforceable Holiday Parenting Plan
Arkansas requires divorcing parents with minor children to submit a parenting plan that includes specific holiday provisions. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-322, parents must complete at least 2 hours of parenting classes before the court finalizes custody arrangements. The parenting plan must specify exchange times, locations, and transportation responsibilities for each holiday.
Essential Elements of Arkansas Holiday Plans
An enforceable Arkansas holiday custody schedule must include:
- Specific dates or method for determining dates (e.g., "Thanksgiving break as defined by child's school calendar")
- Exact exchange times (6:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., etc.)
- Designated exchange location (police station, school, residence)
- Transportation responsibilities (who drives, who pays)
- Alternating year pattern clearly defined (odd/even or by specific years)
- Override language specifying holidays supersede regular schedule
- Makeup provisions if a parent misses scheduled time due to emergency
- Communication requirements during the other parent's holiday time
How to Document Your Holiday Schedule Agreement
Arkansas parents should memorialize their holiday custody schedule in a Children's Holiday Schedule Attachment form, which becomes part of the court order once approved. Both parents must sign the agreement, and the court must approve it before it becomes legally enforceable. The Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program offers up to 6 hours of free mediation to help parents reach agreement on holiday schedules.
Modifying Holiday Custody Schedules
Arkansas allows modification of holiday custody schedules when a material change in circumstances occurs and modification serves the child's best interests. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-13-101, the party seeking modification must demonstrate that circumstances have substantially changed since the original order. The filing fee for a custody modification in Arkansas is $165 in most counties, with some counties charging $185.
What Qualifies as Material Change
Arkansas courts consider these factors when evaluating modification requests:
- One parent's relocation (though relocation alone may not suffice)
- Child's changing school schedule or activities
- Parental conflict affecting holiday exchanges
- Child's age-related needs (older children may have different holiday preferences)
- Safety concerns at either household
- One parent's consistent failure to exercise holiday time
Relocation and Holiday Schedule Impact
Arkansas law generally favors a custodial parent's right to relocate, but relocation can complicate holiday schedules. The non-custodial parent bears the burden of proving that a move would harm the child's best interests. When relocation affects holiday logistics, courts may adjust exchange locations, modify transportation responsibilities, or consolidate holiday time into longer blocks to reduce travel frequency.
Resolving Holiday Custody Disputes in Arkansas
Arkansas offers multiple dispute resolution options for holiday custody conflicts, ranging from free mediation to formal court modification proceedings. The Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program provides up to 6 hours of free mediation for parents willing to negotiate custody and visitation issues collaboratively.
Free Mediation Through Arkansas Access Program
The Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program is a federally-funded pilot program that mediates access, custody, and visitation issues at no cost to parents. Either parent may self-refer, or a judge or attorney may suggest mediation. Judges may also order participation. The program's director maintains office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parents who reach agreement through mediation can submit their holiday schedule directly to the court for approval.
Contempt Actions for Holiday Violations
If one parent intentionally defies court-ordered holiday parenting time, the other parent may file a motion for contempt. Arkansas courts can hold the violating parent in contempt and impose sanctions including:
- Makeup parenting time for the missed holiday
- Payment of the other parent's attorney fees
- Modification of the custody schedule
- In severe cases, incarceration for willful violation
Documentation is critical for contempt proceedings. Parents should maintain records of missed exchanges, text messages or emails confirming the violation, and witness statements if available.
Joint Custody and Holiday Time Division
Arkansas law establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody serves the child's best interests. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-13-101, "joint custody" means the approximate and reasonable equal division of time with the child by both parents. This presumption can be rebutted if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that joint custody would not serve the child's best interests, if parents agree otherwise, or if one parent does not request joint custody.
How Joint Custody Affects Holidays
In joint custody arrangements, holiday scheduling becomes particularly important because both parents already share substantial regular parenting time. Arkansas joint custody holiday schedules may:
- Split major holidays (e.g., Thanksgiving morning with one parent, dinner with the other)
- Alternate holidays annually as in traditional schedules
- Create a week-on/week-off schedule that incorporates holidays naturally
- Divide winter break into equal segments rather than splitting Christmas Day
50/50 Custody Holiday Considerations
When parents share approximately equal time (141+ overnights per year for the non-residential parent), the child support calculation adjusts accordingly under Arkansas Administrative Order No. 10. Holiday scheduling in 50/50 arrangements often requires more detailed planning because both parents have equal standing and neither is clearly "custodial" or "non-custodial."
Grandparent Visitation During Holidays
Arkansas recognizes grandparent visitation rights under specific circumstances, though grandparents do not automatically receive holiday time. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-13-103 and § 9-13-107, grandparents may petition for visitation if the child is in the custody of a non-parent or if visitation serves the child's best interests.
When Grandparents Can Seek Holiday Time
Arkansas grandparents may petition for holiday visitation if:
- The child's parents are divorced or separated
- One parent is deceased
- The child resided with the grandparent for at least 6 months
- The child is in custody of someone other than a parent
- A significant relationship exists between grandparent and child
The court considers the existing relationship, any history of neglect or abuse, and both parents' willingness to facilitate grandparent contact. Grandparent holiday visitation is typically scheduled around, not in place of, parental holiday time.
Arkansas Holiday Custody Costs and Timeline
Arkansas holiday custody matters involve predictable costs and timelines, though contested cases extend both significantly.
| Cost Category | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee (new custody) | $165 | Most counties; some charge up to $185 |
| Filing fee (modification) | $165 | Plus $50 to reopen closed case |
| Parenting class | $50-100 | 2+ hours required |
| Mediation (Access Program) | $0 | Up to 6 hours free |
| Attorney retainer | $2,500-5,000 | If contested |
| Hourly attorney rate | $150-400/hour | Arkansas average |
| Uncontested total | $165-300 | DIY, no children disputes |
| Contested custody case | $7,000-20,000+ | Per spouse |
Timeline for Holiday Custody Proceedings
Arkansas imposes a mandatory 30-day waiting period from filing before any divorce can be finalized. Uncontested cases with children typically take 45-90 days due to parenting class requirements. Contested holiday custody disputes may extend 6-12 months or longer if the case requires a full evidentiary hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is holiday custody typically divided in Arkansas?
Arkansas courts divide holiday custody using an alternating-year schedule, with Christmas split at 2:00 p.m. on December 25th. The custodial parent receives Thanksgiving in even-numbered years, while the non-custodial parent receives it in odd-numbered years. This framework ensures each parent enjoys approximately equal holiday time over a two-year cycle, with specific exchange times (typically 6:00 p.m.) designated in the court order.
Does the holiday schedule override regular weekend visitation in Arkansas?
Yes, Arkansas holiday schedules always supersede regular weekend visitation. If Christmas falls on a Saturday during what would normally be one parent's weekend, the holiday schedule controls. Courts consistently enforce this override to prevent confusion and ensure children experience predictable holiday arrangements. Regular weekend rotations resume after the designated holiday period ends.
Can Arkansas parents create their own holiday custody schedule?
Arkansas courts strongly encourage parents to negotiate their own holiday schedules through the Children's Holiday Schedule Attachment form. Under Arkansas law, if both parents agree on a schedule, the court will likely approve it, especially if each parent receives significant time. The Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program offers up to 6 hours of free mediation to help parents reach agreement without litigation.
How much does it cost to modify a holiday custody schedule in Arkansas?
The filing fee to modify custody in Arkansas is $165 in most counties, with some counties charging up to $185. If the original case was closed, courts charge an additional $50 to reopen it. Attorney fees for contested modifications range from $7,000 to $20,000 or more, while uncontested modifications may cost $1,800 to $4,000 including attorney fees.
What happens if a parent violates the holiday custody schedule in Arkansas?
Arkansas courts can hold a parent in contempt for intentionally violating court-ordered holiday custody. Consequences include makeup parenting time for the missed holiday, payment of the other parent's attorney fees, custody schedule modifications, and in severe cases, incarceration. The aggrieved parent must file a motion for contempt and document the violation with evidence such as text messages, emails, or witness statements.
Do Arkansas grandparents have rights to holiday visitation?
Arkansas grandparents may petition for visitation rights under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-13-103 and § 9-13-107, but they are not automatically entitled to holiday time. Courts grant grandparent visitation only when it serves the child's best interests and typically schedule it around parental holiday time. Grandparents must demonstrate a significant existing relationship with the child.
How does joint custody affect holiday scheduling in Arkansas?
Arkansas law establishes a rebuttable presumption favoring joint custody, defined as approximate and reasonable equal division of time. In joint custody arrangements, parents may split major holidays (morning with one parent, evening with another), alternate annually, or incorporate holidays naturally into a week-on/week-off schedule. The 141-overnight threshold affects child support calculations under Administrative Order No. 10.
What is the waiting period before Arkansas finalizes custody orders?
Arkansas requires a 30-day waiting period from the filing date before the court can finalize any divorce decree, including custody arrangements. Uncontested divorces with children typically take 45-90 days total due to mandatory parenting class requirements. Contested custody cases involving holiday schedule disputes may take 6-12 months or longer to resolve.
Can a parent relocate and keep the same holiday schedule?
Arkansas generally favors custodial parents' relocation rights, but moves can affect holiday logistics. The non-custodial parent must prove relocation harms the child's best interests to prevent a move. Courts may adjust exchange locations, modify transportation responsibilities, or consolidate holiday time into longer blocks when distance makes frequent exchanges impractical.
Are parenting classes required for holiday custody cases in Arkansas?
Yes, under Ark. Code Ann. § 9-12-322, Arkansas courts may require divorcing parents with minor children to complete at least 2 hours of parenting classes. Classes cost $50-100 per parent and cover issues divorced parents face, including holiday scheduling. Some online courses are accepted, though certain counties require in-person attendance. Each parent pays their own class fees.
Next Steps for Arkansas Holiday Custody
If you need to establish or modify a holiday custody schedule in Arkansas, consider these action items:
- Review your county's standard visitation guidelines (Benton, Washington, Sebastian, Crawford, and other counties publish specific schedules)
- Contact the Arkansas Access and Visitation Mediation Program at araccess.org for up to 6 hours of free mediation
- Complete your mandatory 2-hour parenting class before filing
- Gather school calendars to align holiday definitions with your children's schedule
- Document any current violations or concerns for potential court proceedings
- Consult with an Arkansas family law attorney if your case involves relocation, domestic violence, or complex custody issues
Filing fees and court costs verified as of March 2026. Verify current amounts with your local circuit clerk before filing.