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Co-parenting during the holidays can be stressful. With communication, flexibility, and a shared commitment to your child’s happiness, you can create a holiday season filled with joy—not conflict.  

Start reviewing your custody schedules early 

Holiday schedules are typically either split or alternating. Split custody schedules divide the day in half allowing for both parents to enjoy the holiday, whereas alternating schedules swap the physical holiday custodial time between parents on odd and even years. I typically reach out to my parents in October to review their Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/ Kwanzaa schedule. It’s essential that parents communicate regarding their holiday schedule early on. Since most schools schedule a break during Christmas time, it may be important to identify childcare and custodial exchanges. If you haven’t already, reach out to your ex and discuss the upcoming holiday schedule.  

Religious differences  

Legal custody in Pennsylvania is defined as “ [t]he right to make major decisions on behalf of the child, including, but not limited to, medical, religious and educational decisions.”  23 Pa.C.S.A. § 5322. Legal custody is typically shared between parents although in rare circumstances, the court can assign sole legal custody. Courts are reluctant to enter orders regarding religious preferences. Each parent is going to celebrate traditions unique to their home. I encourage all my parents to be respectful and flexible regarding holiday traditions.  

Traveling  

The holiday schedule typically takes precedence over any vacation time. Please review your custody schedule closely to ensure that you are not scheduling any vacations over your co-parents holiday time to avoid potential Petitions for Contempt. You should also note whether you need to share any travel information such as emergency contact, address of hotel or host, etc. if you leaving the state or country for the holidays. Your custody may require you to share this information.  

Gifting  

Coordinate gift giving with your co-parent. It’s important to discuss budgeting and large gifts to avoid duplication or overshadowing the other parent. It’s also a good time to check in about age-appropriate gifts such as video game age ratings.  

Pennsylvania’s recent enactment of the CROWN Act is an important update to the Commonwealth’s nondiscrimination framework. The law clarifies that “race” under state civil rights statutes includes traits historically associated with race – such as natural hair texture and protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists, and bantu knots. As a result, workplace decisions involving these traits will now be evaluated as potential race-based discrimination.

For employers, the primary takeaway is heightened awareness. Grooming or appearance standards that restrict certain hairstyles may draw scrutiny if they disproportionately affect Black employees or others who wear protective styles. The Act does not bar employers from enforcing legitimate health, safety, or hygiene requirements, but those standards should be clearly tied to the job and applied consistently across the workforce.

While many employers may find their existing policies already align with the updated law, it is worthwhile to briefly review handbooks, job descriptions, and training materials to ensure they do not inadvertently signal bias. Likewise, managers and supervisors should understand that hairstyle-related issues can now have legal implications under race discrimination provisions.

By staying informed and attentive to the Act’s requirements, employers can support compliance and maintain fair, respectful workplace practices.

Jeff Burke is an attorney at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., working in the firm’s Employment and Litigation practice groups. Jeff counsels businesses and individuals on employment practices and policies, executive compensation, employee hiring and separation issues, non-competition and other restrictive covenants, wage and hour disputes, and other employment-related matters. Jeff represents businesses and individuals in employment litigation such as employment contract disputes, workforce classification audits, and discrimination claims based upon age, sex, race, religion, disability, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment. Jeff also practices in commercial litigation as well as counsels businesses on commercial contract matters

Centreville & Hockessin, DE | November 4, 2025 – MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is proud to announce that nine of its attorneys have been recognized in Delaware Today’s Top Lawyers 2025 list.

Each year, Delaware Today surveys licensed attorneys throughout the state to identify peers they would recommend in various practice areas. The resulting Top Lawyers list highlights Delaware’s most respected practitioners, recognized for their professional excellence, integrity, and service to clients.

MacElree Harvey’s Delaware Today Top Lawyers 2025 Honorees:

Centreville, DE
Marie I. Crossley – Family Law; Family Law Arbitration & Mediation
Patrick J. Boyer – Family Law
Andrew R. Silverman – Business & Corporate Law
Jaycie H. DiNardo – Family Law

Hockessin, DE
Daniel T. Crossland – Business Law; Trusts & Estates
Carolina Heinle – Estate Planning & Administration; Trust & Estate Litigation
Court Heinle – Estate & Medicaid Planning
John C. (JC) Cronin – Estate Planning; Business & Real Estate Law
Daniel R. Losco – Real Estate; Business Transactions; Wills, Trusts & Estates

Delaware Today’s annual Top Lawyers edition recognizes the state’s most respected attorneys across a wide range of practice areas. Each year, the magazine conducts a statewide peer-review survey of licensed Delaware attorneys, asking them to nominate colleagues they would personally recommend to clients in specific areas of law.

The results are then carefully reviewed and vetted by the Delaware Today editorial team to ensure nominees are actively practicing, in good standing with the Delaware Bar, and recognized for professional excellence and integrity within the legal community.

Unlike paid listings or sponsored accolades, inclusion in the Top Lawyers list is based solely on peer recognition and professional reputation, a true reflection of respect earned from fellow attorneys throughout the state.

About MacElree Harvey’s Delaware Offices

MacElree Harvey’s Centreville and Hockessin offices provide comprehensive legal services to individuals, families, and businesses throughout Delaware and the surrounding region. The firm’s Delaware attorneys counsel clients across a broad range of practice areas, including:

• Estate Planning & Administration
• Business & Corporate Law
• Real Estate & Land Use
• Family Law
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution

About MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is a full-service law firm with offices in West Chester, Kennett Square, and Malvern, Pennsylvania, as well as Centreville and Hockessin, Delaware. The firm’s attorneys are known for their Initiative in Practice® – combining legal acumen with practical insight to deliver results for clients in business, family, criminal defense, estates, real estate, and beyond.

MacElree Harvey is proud to announce that several of our attorneys have once again been recognized by Main Line Today magazine as Top Lawyers for 2025 across a wide range of practice areas. This annual list highlights outstanding attorneys in the Main Line region who are nominated by their peers for professional excellence, client service, and leadership in the legal community.

MacElree attorneys have been included in the Main Line Today Top Lawyers list for the 17th consecutive year in 2025, having earned this distinction every year since the award’s inception in 2007. This consistent recognition reflects both the strength of our individual attorneys and the firm’s long-standing reputation for excellence across practice areas.

About the Selection Process

The Main Line Today Top Lawyers list is highly selective. Attorneys are chosen through an annual peer-to-peer balloting system that identifies the top practitioners across numerous specialties. The number of votes required varies by category, with thresholds adjusted for smaller practice areas or counties. Importantly, placement on the list cannot be bought, the publication receives no compensation in exchange for inclusion, and advertisers are not guaranteed recognition.

Once the balloting is complete, Main Line Today verifies all nominees using appropriate state licensure resources, with a balloting coordinator confirming each lawyer’s practice details. This guarantees that the final list reflects the region’s top legal talent, identified through peer recognition.

The following attorneys were featured:

• Joseph A. Bellinghieri – Trusts & Wills

• Patrick J. Boyer – Divorce & Family Law

• Robert A. Burke – Commercial Law

• Jeffrey P. Burke – Employment Law

• Matthew C. Cooper – Business Law

• Caroline G. Donato – Criminal Law

• Harry J. DiDonato – Business Law

• Mary Kay Gaver – Business Law

• Peter E. Kratsa – Criminal Law

• Mary E. Lawrence – Criminal Law

• Michael G. Louis – Bankruptcy

• Matthew M. McKeon – Real Estate

• John F. McKenna – Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Brian L. Nagle – Real Estate

• Lance J. Nelson – Divorce & Family Law

• Michael C. Rovito – Divorce & Family Law

• Duke Schneider – Trusts & Wills

• Andrew R. Silverman – Business Law

• Ashley B. Stitzer – Divorce & Family Law

• Timothy F. Rayne – Personal Injury

Read the full list on Main Line Today: These Are the Top Lawyers in the Main Line Region in 2025.