The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything any of us ever faced. For divorced parents, the situation is likely even more challenging, especially if your schedules vastly changed due to the loss of a job. The important thing to remember is that you must still do everything you reasonably can to comply with your child custody order. If you fail to comply with it and your co-parent chooses to address the matter in court, it may impact your arrangement if a judge believes you were taking advantage of the situation.
Overcoming the Obstacles of a Pandemic
We are all experiencing an unprecedented moment in history and, for children, the uncertainty of it can be incredibly stressful, especially while we all try to maintain social distance to help prevent the spread of this terrible virus. To soothe their anxieties and concerns, you and your co-parent should do your best to compromise and exercise a little flexibility to accommodate the challenges you may face.
Here are some tips that will help you co-parent through the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Keep the lines of communication open and try to respond in a timely manner to your co-parent’s concerns or questions.
- Although a little compromise and sacrifice is expected during a crisis, neither of you should attempt to keep score. Focus on getting through this rather than on how much either of you had to give up.
- When you engage in child-related discussions, do so with the intention of finding a solution as a team.
- Help your children feel connected through virtual visits and phone calls.
- The pandemic will eventually come to an end and, if possible, the custodial parent should consider setting aside some extra time for the non-custodial parent to reconnect and bond.
Remember that this is a difficult time for everyone, and it is crucial to be compassionate and understanding. You may have to make some temporary changes to your parenting schedule, but if you put an honest effort into approaching this crisis as a team, you can get through it together.
Reach Out to Our Compassionate Family Law Team for the Legal Guidance You Need
We are all dealing with some unexpected difficulties as we field our way through the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some cases, it may be necessary to hire an experienced family law advocate to resolve them. At Hope Law Firm, our family law team has the experience and compassion you need to smoothly navigate this emotional situation, so you can secure the best possible results for you and your family.
Call our law office today at (515) 305-2772 to set up an initial consultation with a member of our team to discuss the details of your family law case.