The last thing that you probably want to worry about during the holiday season is bailing a family member or close friend out of jail. However, this is a surprisingly common problem. You might have a loved one who had a few too many drinks at a holiday party and then attempted to drive home, for example, or you might be hoping to help a loved one who is in some other type of trouble. Although it is never ideal to have to bail someone out of jail, it can be particularly upsetting during the holiday season. However, knowing these three things can help you out a lot if you find yourself in this situation.

1. Many Bail Bondsmen Work During the Holidays

One big concern that you might have is about whether or not you will be able to find a bail bondsman who will help you with bailing someone out on a major holiday. The good news is that many bail bondsmen actually work on all of the major holidays. Look for a bail bonds company that provides services all day and all night long, and you should be able to find someone who can help you bail your loved one out, even if it's not an ideal time to do so.

2. You May Have Trouble Going to the Bank

Even if you choose to work with a bail bondsman to lower the amount of money that you need to get your loved one out of jail, you will probably need to pay a bondsman fee. Be aware that many banks are closed on holidays and that you might need to look into other options -- such as stopping and withdrawing money from the ATM -- before you can get your loved one out of jail. Before you go through the hassle of heading to an ATM, however, consider asking your bail bondsman about whether or not he or she will accept a debit or credit card to pay your loved one's bail bond fee.

3. You Should Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Although you might be in a big hurry to get your loved one out of jail, particularly during the holiday season, it is important to give yourself plenty of time. You might have to worry about winter weather conditions while you are driving to the jail to meet the bail bondsman, for example. Taking a little bit of time to get your own affairs in order and to ensure that you are able to drive safely to bail out your loved one should be worth it in the long run.

When you think about celebrating the holiday season, the last thing that you might think about is bailing a family member or close friend out of jail. However, knowing the three things above can help you make the best out of a bad situation if you do find yourself dealing with this type of situation during the holiday season.