Borton Petrini

Co-Parenting During COVID-19

Co-Parenting During COVID-19

Covid-19 has impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, even if temporarily; unfortunately, family law disputes are no exception.  If you’re disagreeing with your co-parent about which precautions to take (or not to take) regarding custody and visitation, you’re not alone.  The first thing you should do is step-back, and consider what is in the best-interest of your child.  Achieving your child’s best-interest is not only an admiral goal for parents to aspire to, it’s the bedrock foundation the Courts use when deciding custody and visitation disputes.  It may sound cliché, but everyone’s best interests are served when a child’s best interests are met.

Next, do what you can to follow state, local, and federal health guidelines; this is especially true if you’re headed to Court.  As a general rule, a parent in a custody or visitation dispute will not be penalized by a judge for following health guidelines; on the other hand, a parent who defies guidelines may find themselves in a difficult situation in front of the judge.

If you believe that your child’s health, safety, and welfare are at risk by continuing the court’s custody or visitation order, and you can’t reach an agreement with your co-parent, you can talk to one of our experienced lawyers about seeking to modify a court order.  Remember, it’s crucial to follow the process even during the pandemic. A parent who refuses to follow a current court order can face significant legal consequences. On the other hand, if you’ve been denied time with your child in violation of a court order, you may ask for help to enforce that order. If you’ve been denied your parenting time, and you have to return to court to rectify the situation, keep accurate records of all visitation and custody violations.

Enforcement and/or modification of a court order can be extremely complicated. Depending on your County, the hearings may be in-person, via Zoom, or some sort of hybrid. Our firm has family law attorneys from throughout California, giving us the experience and knowledge necessary to guide you through the process in your County.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced family law attorneys.

 

 

Chuck Bonneau is an attorney in our Sacramento office.  He practices in a variety of practice areas including family law, immigration, civil and criminal law.   

 

 

 

Family Law

Legal Disclaimer: This article is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

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