Best Estate Planning Attorneys in Johnson City, TN

Child Custody during the Coronavirus PandemicnnFor the last five months, COVID-19 has changed most people’s “normal” routines. For a parent, keeping their child safe and healthy during the pandemic is a major concern and change, and parents want to safeguard their child and themselves from the virus. Nonetheless, a divorced or separated parent has an added pressure of coordinating COVID-19 precautionary measures with the child’s other parent.nnIn an ideal situation, where divorced or separated parents have a healthy relationship, they likely can agree on protections and trust one another to exercise those precautions. Further, if a child is more susceptible to complications from the virus, parents should agree to discuss the options with a doctor and alter the child’s custody schedule to keep the child protected.nnHowever, other divorced or separated parents may disagree on precautions needed to protect the child from COVID-19. While many parents are taking precautions during the pandemic, other parents may ignore recommended precautions. The concerned parent may have options when the child’s other parent who shares custody of the child refuses to take precautions during COVID-19.nnFirst, the concerned parent should ask the child’s other parent to temporarily alter the custody schedule. For example, a concerned parent can suggest postponing in person visits, scheduling face time, zoom, or skype meetings, or having the other parent come to the concerned parent’s home for a visit, while social distancing. However, this solution may be difficult considering the parents are in disagreement over the issue.nnIf both parents cannot agree to a temporary change in the custody agreement, the concerned parent likely needs to still follow the child custody order. No shelter-in-place orders have an exception to court orders concerning child custody. If one parent unilaterally makes the decision to stop the child’s other parent’s visitation, they risk being held in contempt of the court.nnNext, if the concerned parent believes that the child being in the home of the child’s other parent places the child in danger or irreparable harm, the concerned parent may seek a court order modifying their present custody arrangements. Although parents may have existing custody arrangements, parents may seek modification of child custody arrangements in light of changed circumstances. A parent may be able to file a petition to modify the initial custody agreement if they can show the initial parenting plan is no longer in the best interest of the child. Therefore, if a concerned parent can show that the child’s other parent who ignores precautions is harming the child’s interest, the concerned parent may be able to modify the custody arrangements during the crisis. For this option, you will likely need a child custody lawyer.nnFurthermore, even if divorced or separated parents agree on precautions to protect the health of the child, changes in school schedules and format may affect the child’s wellbeing and best interest. While parents may already have existing custody arrangements for snow days or if the child is sick, parents may need to modify child custody arrangements in light of the changed school circumstances and the parents’ current work circumstances. Parents may need to readdress their parenting plan and custody arrangements to consider how school closings, virtual classes, or staggered classes will affect the custody arrangement.nnIf you have questions about child custody arrangements, please contact the attorneys at Wilson Worley for assistance.