Unfortunately, even though much of our day-to-day activities are put on hold during a public health crisis, child custody and visitation disputes continue. In fact, they may even be worse.
With schools closed and government authorities mandating people to stay at home, many parents are worried about their children. Heightened anxiety can exacerbate tensions between divorced and separated parents who may not get along well even under normal circumstances.
We can help. It is important to remember that routines are important for children, even more so when other aspects of their lives are disrupted. There is nothing we can do right now about the closure of schools and the cancellation of play dates and birthday parties. But to maintain as much normalcy as possible, unless you or your children have been quarantined or are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, children should continue to see both parents according to existing parental access schedules.
If you are being denied access to your children, or if your children cannot safely visit with you or their other parent because of potential exposure to novel coronavirus, we can work to negotiate a temporary solution that works for everyone during these unprecedented times. This may include an alternate “essential business” location to exchange the children such as a gas station, a “socially distant” outdoor visit, or periodic scheduled Facetime or Skype sessions. If we are unable to resolve your dispute, the Courts are open on a limited basis to hear emergency applications. We do not know how long the coronavirus will affect our daily lives, and no parent should be deprived of their rights for the duration of the crisis.
At Petroske Riezenman & Meyers, we offer telephone and video consultations and conferences. We are fully equipped to work remotely from any location. If you need help with a divorce or family law issue, call us at 631-337-1977, email us, or contact us for a consultation.