How COVID-19 Has Changed Our Daily Lives

There is little doubt that the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our daily lives. It has changed how we work, play, and interact with each other. The extent and manner of personal interactions have been directly affected by the need to be hypervigilant, maintain social distance, wear face masks in public and potentially quarantine ourselves in the event of actual or perceived exposure to the virus.

The impact of COVID-19 has been no less severe regarding custody and parenting time issues. When the pandemic began, many questions arose. Custodial parents wondered whether they should release the children to the other parent. Parents and attorneys were unsure as to what circumstances called for a modification to the parenting schedule. Parents wondered whether certain protective protocols should be put in place.

As the pandemic progressed, and the negative impact on the court system was felt, it was clear that the general rule adopted by almost every court that has addressed this issue is that the status quo should be maintained. Parents should continue to follow the agreed-upon or ordered parenting schedule unless there was a significant reason to alter their continued enforceability.

This blog will not address whether that viewpoint is correct or not. Rather, the intent of this blog is to provide suggested safety protocols that parents may choose to implement (or request that a court order) to safeguard themselves and the children in light of the current pandemic. Any one or more of these protocols can be adopted based upon the appropriate facts of the case.

View the comprehensive article I’ve written on how parents should deal with COVID 19.