We’re now several months into the COVID-19 outbreak and the timeline is still rather blurred. With different states and organizations offering different guidelines, it’s clear that we are still at least weeks away from returning to any sort of “normal.” 

With this in mind, what does this translate to for divorced parents and those who are co-parenting via custody plans? With many schools not set to open until fall or later, the juggling of responsibilities has never been this pronounced. 

To help co-parenting partners make things easier for everyone, we wanted to go over a few basic tips that you should keep in mind while navigating these unique and challenging times. Remember, for tailored legal advice, we recommend that you connect with a qualified legal professional. For now, here’s some tips that can help you co-parent during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. 

Take Advantage of Custody Flexibility

Many kids have transitioned to schooling from home, which has proved to be a bit of a silver lining for many separated parents. This also applies to parents who have been given the option to work from home. This makes being flexible with arrangements easier than ever before. 

During this time, many parents are finding it easier to accommodate each other’s schedules, and more frequent “swaps” are logistically easier to do. We advise parents to work together and take each other’s needs into consideration, and above all, remain flexible. 

One important caveat: account for members of the household who are at high-risk for complications if they contract COVID-19. In these instances, we advise against frequent back-and-forth visits to minimize risks. 

Make Alternate Plans to Account for Various Scenarios

COVID-19 isn’t going to go away in the next few weeks or months, and many are predicting the potential of multiple waves of the outbreak. This makes it important for you to plan ahead and consider all possible scenarios.

Have a plan in place if you or the other parent falls ill and is unable to care for the child. This could even involve establishing a temporary guardian via power of attorney, limiting all travel for the long-term, and cooperating with the other parent in order to ensure both can step in when the other is out of commission.

Connect with a Knowledgeable Child Custody Attorney

What about when the ex is unwilling to cooperate? In these instances, or if you simply have any follow up questions or concerns, we advise that you contact a qualified legal professional. 

It’s perfectly normal to feel lost and overwhelmed during these unprecedented times. If you need more information on this or other topics relating to family law in CA, know that you can count on us at the Law Office of James. P. White.

Call us at 925-271-0999 today to learn more about how we can help.