COVID-19 has continued to disrupt the day-to-day interactions of families throughout Georgia. For divorced parents, managing parenting time and custody agreements during the Coronavirus pandemic can add further complications to an already stressful time. With new developments happening at a rapid pace, many people are wondering if they can see their child quarantined at an ex-spouse’s house.
Custody and Visitation Rights During COVID-19
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that he will be ordering a shelter in place through April 13. The Gwinnett County Bar Association released a statement to clarify how parents should maintain child visitation schedules during COVID-19. Parenting time will be governed by the previously established school calendar — regardless of whether a family has implemented a homeschooling schedule out of necessity. This includes adherence to regular breaks, holidays, and summer vacation. We recommend watching our YouTube video that discusses this specifically.
Settling Custody Disputes During COVID-19
Many courts in Georgia have stated that custody agreements and visitation rights based around a school calendar should still be followed even though schools are closed. If you are concerned about how custody or visitation may affect your child’s safety during COVID-19, it may be best to discuss these concerns with the child’s other parent. Working out a temporary agreement on how to proceed during the Coronavirus pandemic may be in your child’s best interest. If an agreement cannot be reached, a member of our team can explain your options and help select the best one for you.
How to Stay Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic
When interacting with others during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is helpful to adhere to health and safety recommendations from reputable sources such as the Center of Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). Some recommendations provided by these organizations include disinfecting commonly used surfaces, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and frequently washing your hands.
Contact an Experienced Family Lawyer Today
The skilled legal team at ADLG will continue to follow how COVID-19 will affect courts and custody matters. We understand that the Coronavirus pandemic may disrupt many of the processes that you have established with your child and ex-spouse. If you have any questions about how COVID-19 may affect your custody agreement or visitation rights, contact our team to schedule a consultation today with an experience family law team member.
