Problems with Child Custody During a Pandemic

Posted By Law Offices of Robert Stepniak || 15-May-2020

Navigating a child custody order in the midst of a global pandemic can be challenging. Consider these common problems faced by separated parents.

The coronavirus crisis had resulted in an abrupt change in lifestyle for people worldwide. For parents who are separated or divorced and share custody of their children, navigating custody orders and shared parenting time has been difficult. If you have questions about your parenting agreement or your rights during COVID-19, please reach out to The Law Offices of Robert Stepniak for counsel you can trust.

Common Problems During a Pandemic

During the COVID-19 crisis, many clients have called our child custody lawyer with questions about child custody and parenting plans. Some of the common problems that we have helped clients navigate are in regard to:

• One spouse refuses to follow the custody order. Perhaps the most important thing to know is that pandemic or not, your custody order issued by the court still stands. Unless a child is at immediate risk of harm, a parent has no right to breach the custody order. If you do need to modify your custody order, or enforce it, call an attorney. Courts are closed right now, but attorneys are working from home and can provide you with legal advice.
• One parent tests positive for COVID-19 or has had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. A parent testing positive for COVID-19 or being in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (or is displaying symptoms of the disease) may be cause for immediate modification of a parenting time agreement. Call an attorney for counsel as soon as possible.
• One parent may be working more hours than usual. Many parents who are classified as essential workers, including truck drivers, food service workers, and healthcare workers, are working longer hours than usual. This may mean that they are unable to fulfill their normal responsibilities related to childcare, and the other parent may need to step in and provide additional support.
• Parents have a different understanding of what “social distancing” means. Another common issue during this time is a conflict between what each parent thinks “social distancing” means. One parent may be uncomfortable with the other leaving the house at all, including going to the store or walking around the park. Again, you are obligated to stick to your court-ordered custody arrangement; however, if you have questions about modification or enforcement, you should call an attorney.

During this challenging time, parents should embrace flexibility and compromise. Now, more than ever, working together is important and can help to reduce the amount of stress experienced by both parents and their children.

Call a Daytona Child Custody Lawyer

If you have questions about child custody, Daytona, FL child custody lawyer at The Law Offices of Robert Stepniak can help. Reach out to our lawyer today by phone or online for a consultation about your rights and an overview of your obligations related to your parenting agreement during a pandemic.