How COVID Is Changing Divorce

You might have thought your divorce was done. All details have been finalized. There’s no need to go back to court, right?

Wrong. COVID is wreaking havoc on pretty much everything, from jobs to finances to relationships. For those who are divorced or in the process of doing so, it’s complicating many aspects, including child custody.

Dealing with the nuances of raising children has become complex in the past two years. There was distance learning, then wearing masks, then travel and safety issues. Now there are disagreements about COVID vaccines. When will it ever end?

Parents who thought their child custody cases were closed are now having to go back to the courts or call up their divorce lawyer and figure out what to do now about these issues. Complicating things even further is the job situation. While it may seem as though there are millions of jobs available, these are primary minimum wage/low wage positions. They’re not enough to support a family.

What this means is that many parents are having to relocate in order to get a high-paying job in their field. Many are moving out of state, which of course impacts child custody. Add the fact that people are going through these situations with ex-spouses, with whom they may not have a good relationship, and the magnitude of the situation is multiplied.

COVID safety issues concerning children are a hot topic. Parents are trying to do what they think is best for their kids and it’s likely that they are clashing with the other parent over their views. It’s not uncommon for one parent to be pro-vaccine and the other to be anti-vaccine.

In any case, the topic of COVID is coming up in almost all child custody cases, and the tension is getting worse. This is especially true thanks to changing guidelines. Because of this, written agreements regarding child custody guidelines are also changing as well.

Creating more panic in parents is being forced to have their kids visit a non-vaccinated parent. This happens in many cases and the courts will still usually allow both parents to have custody and visitation, especially if there is a prior agreement in place. The court has made rulings in some cases, though. In one, an unvaccinated father was ordered to either get vaccinated or provide a statement from a doctor with a valid reason.

Dealing with an unvaccinated parent can be nerve-wracking for the vaccinated parent, though. Parents can vaccinate their children and teach them the importance of wearing masks.

Contact a Maryland Family Law Attorney Today

The coronavirus pandemic has made everyday life more difficult for many people. Even those who divorced before the pandemic are feeling the effects.

Has the pandemic changed the outcome of your divorce? Need a modification or other legal decision in place? A Columbia family lawyer from The Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. can help you deal with the post-divorce challenges caused by COVID. To schedule a consultation, call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form.

Resource:

cnn.com/2022/01/30/us/child-custody-battles-covid-cec/index.html

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