This new coronavirus has affected many of us personally, though divorced co-parents are now presented with a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to abiding by child custody agreements in the age of stay-at-home orders and the like. Please continue reading to learn more about these agreements and how our Bergen County family law firm can help you.
Child custody agreements in the wake of COVID-19
As stay-at-home orders become more and more pressing, most of us are now dedicated to abiding by them. However, if you are a co-parent, you are most likely concerned about how this will affect your child custody agreement, as you want to see your child, but you’re being ordered to stay in. Furthermore, if you believe your ex lives in an unsafe area, you may feel it necessary to ignore your custody order and refuse to return your child in the wake of the pandemic, However, history shows that when parents try this, no matter how well-intentioned, they frequently face reduced child custody/visitation terms themselves, once matter is brought to attention.
What unique co-parenting disputes come as a result of COVID-19?
Some of the most common coronavirus-related co-parenting disputes our firm has seen are as follows:
- One parent not wanting to meet the other due to believing there is nowhere safe to exchange the kids.
- One parent refusing to drop their children off in a house where an immuno-compromised person lives.
- One parent feeling scared to leave his/her children with an ex that works in a hospital.
- One parent disagreeing with the terms of their temporary child custody agreement.
- One parent refusing to drop their child off with an ex who does not abide by the CDC and WHO recommendations, like social distancing.
What happens if my ex does not follow our child custody agreement?
Since NJ courts are currently closed for non-essential matters, they are now beginning to hold child custody hearings over the phone, and many attorneys are also conducting telephone/Skype mediation sessions over the phone to iron out these problems as well. If you believe you and your ex can work together with an experienced New Jersey child custody mediator, please do not hesitate to speak with our knowledgeable, compassionate Bergen County attorneys today. We know these are unprecedented times, however, we are confident that as long as we cooperate and remain calm, we will get through this together.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
