Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis as Divorced Parents

Click here for printer friendly PDF format  

Co-parenting with your former spouse will inevitably present some challenges regardless of current events. However, the COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly creating more challenges for you than you are accustomed to. Even with many states slowly reopening, your schedules are likely still altered by this novel pandemic, making life rather difficult. Ultimately, you should comply with your child custody order. However, ideally, you should also try to be flexible and compromise when necessary.

Working Together During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stressful time for everyone, including children who are out of school and struggling with the new normal. You and your co-parent should seek to make it less stressful for them while protecting their health and safety.

Below are some tips to help you navigate this crisis:

• Comply with the court order: Although this situation is challenging for everyone, you must comply with your court order or risk facing the consequences. If a judge suspects that you are taking advantage of this situation to deny your co-parent visitation, your child custody order may be modified in your co-parent’s favor. If you cannot comply with the court order, consult with an attorney about temporarily modifying the agreement. (Due to COVID-19, A parent having issues complying with the orders would not likely be deemed an emergency justifying a modification. Unless the party has an emergency basis to go in ex parte, or the other party is agreeable to modifying current orders by signing a Stipulation and Order, the orders will remain).

• Be understanding of one another: You are likely both having a difficult time, so try to extend some understanding to one another. Creating conflict now will only make things worse, so try to compromise when you can.

• Learn to be more flexible: If one of you is still on the frontline as an essential worker, you might be getting a little less time with your children. Consider providing more visitation time for your co-parent to make up for this lost time. Keep in mind that doing so is also in the best interest of your children who will likely miss their parent.

• Stay healthy: To ensure the safety of your family, you should all observe good behavior. Regularly wash your hands, stay home, maintain social distancing when you go outside, wipe down surfaces and objects, and try to stay informed.

These are unique circumstances none of us have ever faced, so if you believe a child custody matter you are dealing with requires legal assistance, do not hesitate to contact an attorney to learn more about your legal options.

Schedule a Consultation with a Knowledgeable Member of Our Legal Team Today!

If you are experiencing problems with your child custody arrangement as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal team at Sullivan Law & Associates can provide the legal guidance you need to overcome these challenges. Backed by more than four decades of combined experience, our team has what it takes to create the personalized legal solutions you need to achieve your goals and protect your best interests.

Contact our law office today at (949) 565-2793 to request an initial consultation with one of our compassionate attorneys. We are conducting all new and existing consultations via phone or email due to COVID-19.