While the quarantine may be worrisome, putting a proper plan in place can help minimize unexpected situations. By focusing on a few important issues, you can ensure your family and co-parenting partner get through this tough time as stress-free as possible.
My Child’s School Is Closed. Now What?
COVID-19 has caused schools across the nation to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the virus. If your children are now at home, your first step should be to take a look at your custody order to determine proper parenting time during the closures. Additionally, you want to look at the child care provisions written in your custody order, as you could be faced with the unforeseen need for child care.
For example, your order might state that one parent has the ability to refuse to care for the child if the asking parent is requesting child care for more than eight hours.
Amidst the quarantine, the best thing you can do is communicate with your child’s other parent. If possible, you want to speak with them and try to reach an agreement on how to handle any changes in your children’s schedule.
However, we understand that not all situations are that simple. If you’re in a situation where communicating with your children’s other parent is not an option, our team at Baxter Law, LLC, can help resolve any and all child custody problems you’re facing.
My Child or Child’s Other Parent Is Sick. What Happens Now?
If you’re planning for what could happen if your child or child’s other parent gets the virus, you’re on the right track to keeping yourself and your family as safe as possible. If you end up facing a situation where your child or child’s other parent catches the virus, your first step will again be to review your custody order, as it should explain what happens in a situation where one or both parents cannot care for the child.
It’s important to note that situations like these are very uncommon and are typically resolved on a case by case basis. That being said, it’s important to reach out to your child’s other parent (directly or with the help of an attorney) to make sure you’re both on the same page as to what your plans are in the event that one or both of you become ill or needs to quarantine.
It is also possible that your custody order fails to mention what happens in the event that one or both parents are unable to care for the child. If so, your next step should be to speak with an experienced Oregon family law attorney to discuss your options moving forward.
Baxter Law, LLC Can Help Answer Your Questions
Baxter Law, LLC is here for you and your family. We are available to answer any questions you have relating to family law and child custody during your time of need. Due to the quarantine, we are available to answer your questions over the phone.
Call us today (541) 238-9210 to learn more about how we can help over a free phone consultation.