Preparing for Holiday-Induced Disruptions: Contingency Planning for Divorce Professionals in November

With the holidays around the corner, divorce professionals enter one of the most challenging times of the year. November and December tend to bring heightened emotions, logistical complications, and increased client demands—factors that, if unplanned, can slow progress and affect the quality of care clients receive. Studies and professional observations reveal that the holidays create a spike in case requests and complications in family law practices. For example, the National Center for State Courts reports that court closures increase nearly 20% around this time of year, resulting in fewer hearing slots and delayed timelines for cases. And according to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people report feeling more stressed during the holidays due to family dynamics, adding to the volatility that can arise in family-related legal matters.

For clients going through divorce, especially those with children, the holiday season can intensify feelings of loss, anxiety, and even anger. As professionals, we often see a heightened need for emotional support and timely legal intervention, especially as clients attempt to finalize matters before year’s end.

Here’s a look at how we, as professionals, can set up some straightforward contingency plans to make sure client needs are met and that our teams can navigate this time without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Plan Around Court Schedule Changes

• Reduced Availability & Higher Caseloads: Courts often scale back their hours or close around holidays, especially Thanksgiving, making scheduling a race against time. Data from the National Center for State Courts shows many courts take 3-5 days off around these dates, which reduces hearing slots and means cases can pile up quickly.
• Getting Ahead of Potential Delays: We’ve all seen clients rush to “get things done” before the holidays, wanting closure or clarity before family gatherings. This can lead to a bottleneck of filings and requests.
• What You Can Do:
  • Early Prep: Encourage clients to file necessary documents and schedule hearings as early as possible. A little advance planning now can help prevent issues later.
  • Clear Communication: Let clients know early if delays are expected. A heads-up about court schedules or potential rescheduling goes a long way in building trust and managing expectations.

2. Support Clients’ Emotional Needs During the Holidays

• Expect Emotional Highs and Lows: The holidays can amplify emotions, especially for clients dealing with recent separation. Studies from the American Psychological Association highlight that 38% of people feel extra stressed around the holidays, and for divorcing clients, the season can make these feelings more intense.
• Why This Matters: With many clients juggling holiday plans, finances, and potential changes in custody or visitation schedules, it’s common to see tempers flare or clients feeling overwhelmed.
• What You Can Do:
  • Mental Health Referrals: Make sure your clients have access to support. Have a list of mental health professionals or resources for clients in need, particularly those who specialize in family-related stress.
  • De-Escalation Tools for Your Team: Prepare response scripts or protocols to handle emotional client calls or emails professionally and with compassion, giving clients the reassurance they need without draining your team’s energy.
    

3. Account for Staff Availability and Workload

• Plan for Limited Staff Availability: Many of us in the profession will be taking well-earned time off to recharge. However, this can mean stretched resources for those remaining on duty. LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report notes that time-off requests increase by 30% during the holiday months.
• Avoiding Burnout: For those on call, the heavier caseload can lead to burnout without a plan in place.
• What You Can Do:
  • Cross-Training and Back-Up Plans: Cross-train team members to step into each other’s roles as needed. This helps keep cases progressing and ensures clients are not left in the dark if a primary contact is away.
  • Temporary Admin Help: Consider bringing in part-time or temporary support for administrative tasks to keep communications flowing, freeing up your team for higher-level client needs.
  • Automate Client Updates: Set up automated reminders and client communications to take some of the pressure off your team and keep clients informed about deadlines, appointments, and holiday hours.

4. Prepare Clients for Holiday Custody & Scheduling Challenges

• Navigating Holiday Custody: For clients with children, the holidays often bring up tough questions about visitation and custody schedules. Divorce Magazine reports that 1 in 4 divorced parents faces tension or confusion over holiday custody.
• Avoiding Last-Minute Disputes: Holiday plans can add stress to an already sensitive time for parents. The goal is to head off any disputes or miscommunication before they arise.
• What You Can Do:
  • Customized Holiday Schedules: Work with clients ahead of time to nail down holiday arrangements, documenting everything clearly to avoid last-minute issues.
  • Scheduling Tools for Clients: Suggest tools like Family Wizard to help co-parents coordinate without the need for constant back-and-forth, helping clients stay organized and minimizing conflict.
  • Regular Client Check-Ins: A quick check-in with clients a few weeks before the holidays to finalize or tweak arrangements can prevent disruptions and shows clients that you’re there to support them through the season.

5. Financial Planning Support for Holiday Spending Pressures

• Clients’ Budgets Get Tighter: With gifts, travel, and holiday festivities, November and December often lead to tighter financial conditions for clients. The American Financial Institute notes that 55% of families increase their spending during this time, which can make budgeting for legal fees more challenging.
• Offering Flexibility: Financial strain during the holidays is real, and a bit of empathy with creative solutions can be appreciated by clients.
• What You Can Do:
  • Flexible Payment Options: Consider offering payment plans for clients who might need a bit of flexibility to get through the season financially.
  • Provide a Budgeting Resource: A simple guide with budgeting tips or a list of resources for managing finances can be invaluable to clients feeling the financial pinch.

Making the Holidays Smoother for You and Your Clients

Preparing for holiday disruptions is all about staying proactive and keeping things manageable, both for our clients and our teams. By anticipating court schedules, supporting clients’ emotional needs, planning for staff availability, preparing for holiday custody arrangements, and considering financial impacts, we can continue delivering high-quality support even when the season gets busy. The holidays bring unique pressures for everyone, but with the right plans in place, we can help clients feel secure, supported, and ready to face the new year with confidence.

RESOURCES:

National Center for State Courts (NCSC) – Court Closures and Scheduling Constraints:
https://www.ncsc.org/information-and-resources

American Psychological Association (APA) – Holiday Stress Among Clients:
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stress

Divorce Magazine – Challenges with Child Custody During Holidays:
https://www.divorcemag.com/articles/holiday-survival-tips-for-divorced-parents