COVID-19 & Parenting Time

Written by Angela V. Tafro, Esq. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to our daily lives from wearing masks, working remotely, homeschooling children, online shopping, to a host of other ways we interact with one another.

One significant aspect of COVID-19 that affects the everyday lives of our clients is for parents who are engaged in a divorce and have an interim parenting plan or who are living with a post-divorce custody and parenting plan. One or both parents may have concerns about enforcing the existing parenting plan.

How Will These Plans Be Carried Out During This Pandemic?

Parents are concerned about:

• risk exposure due to a parent’s employment;
• conflicts about the parenting plan during the pandemic;
• dealing with the anxiety of children going between parent’s homes;
• online schooling at one parent’s home or the other parent’s home; and
• pre-existing health concerns for the children or parents

Safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of the children while also enforcing existing parenting plans are paramount concerns for New Jersey Family Courts.

In certain instances, an emergent application may be filed with the Court to assist parents with their existing parenting plans.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your parenting plan with your spouse or former spouse during COVID-19, please call Townsend Tomaio & Newmark to guide you through this challenging time.