Navigating Child Access during COVID-19
Regardless of the custody agreement you had before COVID-19 hit, this new reality everyone is facing can make the schedule to see your children difficult. Divorced parents face unique challenges that almost no one has seen before, so many are learning as they go and trying to make the best of the situation. If you’re dealing with the complexities this new year has brought surrounding your child custody agreement, here’s a little more information that might make it easier to navigate.
Communicate Clearly
The importance of this cannot be understated. As experience has probably shown, communication is the most important part of successful co-parenting. Make sure you have a plan with your ex-partner for when you will see your child(ren) and what happens if someone in either house is exposed to or has a case of COVID. Make a plan with them, and be flexible, understanding that this might not align with exactly what your schedule looked like before.
Finances Might Change
Depending on the career or financial situation before COVID, one or both partners may have to accept some short-term changes. For example, if one parent pays child support but their hours have been cut, or they have been laid off temporarily due to COVID, they might have to change their child support amounts or dates they pay. Hopefully, you have a good relationship, so both sides understand and can work together through this situation.
Be United
Along with communication, presenting as a united front is also an important part of getting through this. How well your children will deal with this is determined by how well you deal with this. So, if all the routines and schedules completely break down and no one is putting in the effort to figure it out, your children are going to feel that. Work with your ex-partner as best you can to help your children get through this.
Be Flexible
This is going to be a trying time for everyone, and the amount of time you spend with your child(ren) may be different than you’re used to (either more or less). You will also potentially face schedule changes. That’s ok, though – being flexible will help everyone get through this. Talk to your ex-partner about whether they’d like to change the agreement you have or if you even need to. You may not need to change anything, but communication is always helpful. At some point, you might need to get creative in the ways you see and spend time with your children (with technology such as Zoom or FaceTime).
Contact Fine and Associates today
In some cases, it may be difficult for you to come to an agreement with your ex-partner on your own, and it may require the help of a family lawyer. If you need help navigating child access during COVID-19, we are here to help. Call us today to arrange a consultation with one of our family lawyers.