Having the schools close, businesses shutdown, and stay-at-home orders in effect are challenging for many families. This situation can become even more stressful if you and your ex share custody of your child. What happens to your custody arrangement in this situation?
In general, stay-at-home orders are not meant to disrupt current custody arrangements. If you are your spouse are co-parenting in a healthy manner, you should discuss a plan for sharing custody upfront. This can include ensuring both parents are engaging in proper social isolation so your child can safely travel between the two homes.
Some people are still working outside of the house, or they might be taking stay-at-home orders seriously. If you are concerned that your ex is regularly exposed to others, you should discuss your options with an experienced custody lawyer. While courts are closed for regularly-scheduled cases, you might be able to obtain an emergency custody order if you believe your ex is putting your child at risk.
Modifying Custody for High-Risk Children
Some children are at a much higher risk of experiencing dangerous complications of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions. If your child is immuno compromised, has asthma, or other respiratory or cardiac conditions, you might not want to expose them to anything outside your home at all – even just going to your ex’s house.
In this situation, you and your ex might want to agree to modify the custody or visitation schedule for the time being. There are many video options for visitations with the other parent, and your child’s safety should be your priority.
Contact a Child Custody Lawyer in Southfield Today
If you have questions or concerns about custody in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, do not hesitate to call McGuigan Law, PLLC, for assistance. Contact us online or call 248.356.9100 to speak with a Southfield child custody attorney.
