Sharing Child Custody in Florida? Five Tips to Help You Get Through the Coronavirus Epidemic
The coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting communities all around the world. The Florida Department of Health notes that nearly every county in the state has at least one confirmed case of COVID-19, with Hillsborough County being one of the hardest hit. While the virus presents challenges for nearly every family, it can be especially difficult for parents who are divorced/separated. Here, our Tampa child custody lawyers offer five tips to help separated parents get through the public health crisis.
Five Child Time Sharing Tips to Help You During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Safety First—Maintain Social Distancing
COVID-19 is a dangerous, potentially life-threatening respiratory disease. To protect the health of you and your family members, it is important to maintain social distancing. While social distancing can be challenging on young children, safety must come first. To the maximum extent possible, both parents should limit exposure to people outside of the household.
- Ongoing, Productive Communication is Essential
As separated parents know well, lack of communication can lead to some very serious problems. The coronavirus outbreak is a difficult and unprecedented public health crisis. During these uncertain times, ongoing and open communication is even more important. Separated parents should proactively communicate their schedule, availability, and what is happening with their child.
- More Flexibility May Be Required
Dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic may require additional flexibility for both parents. A child time-sharing agreement or child time-sharing schedule that worked well before may simply not be applicable while the ‘Stay-at-Home’ order is in place and schools/non essential businesses are closed. Parents can benefit from offering each other good faith flexibility during this crisis.
- You Should Document Violations and Other Bad Behavior
Unfortunately, you may be in a situation where the other parent is simply not cooperative or is otherwise violating their legal obligations. Far worse, you may be dealing with a parent who refuses to maintain social distancing rules—thereby putting the health and safety of you and your family at risk. Make sure you carefully document custody or visitation violations and any other bad behavior. Legal options are available. In an emergency, get immediate help.
- Professional Guidance is Available
While many legal proceedings have been disrupted by the coronavirus, professional guidance and support is still available. If your custody or visitation rights are being violated or you need advice on a specific legal issue, a top-rated Tampa, FL family lawyer is just a phone call away. During COVID-19, we are prepared to review your case and protect your rights remotely.
Call Our Hillsborough County, FL Child Custody Attorneys for Help
At Bubley & Bubley, P.A., our Florida family lawyers have experience handling the full range of child time sharing cases. If you have questions about custody or visitation and the coronavirus, we can help. For a confidential initial consultation, please contact our law firm now. We represent parents throughout Hillsborough County, including in Tampa, Town ‘n’ Country, Plant City, Keystone, Lutz, and Ruskin.
