As we prepare for a second wave of coronavirus infections (assuming, of course, that we aren’t already in the middle of it now), many people have really high anxiety. It’s sad that dealing with a worldwide pandemic has become such a political issue, with people on both sides of the spectrum weighing in with completely different (and often very emotionally charged) opinions. What level of coronavirus exposure are YOU comfortable with? It is challenging to deal with the pandemic, and … [Read more...]
What’s a reasonable custody and visitation agreement?
What is a reasonable agreement when it comes to custody and visitation? This is a question we get a lot – hey, I understand! – from concerned moms who are wondering what’ll happen after they separate from their child’s father. What should a custody and visitation agreement look like? How much time with my kids do I have to give up? It’s difficult to go from “family time” to “mom’s time” and “dad’s time,” and figure out how to reasonably and fairly divide it. Not only the actual division of … [Read more...]
Should I send my kids for visitation during the pandemic?
Should I send my kids for visitation during the pandemic? I’ve written a bit on this before, but it was early on in the pandemic. It feels like eons ago to me now; the shock of actually facing a pandemic – which, to me, still sounds a bit like an actual plague – was surreal. When the schools were closing, back before the stay at home order was originally issued, it seemed like a fluke. A blip on the radar before things would go back to normal. Of course, I’ve always done what I was supposed … [Read more...]
Can he tell me I can’t take the kids?
Can he tell me I can’t take the kids? We’re seeing a LOT of custody disputes right now. I’ve talked about it a bit before, of course; there are very few things that we deal with that are as serious or as terrifying as a dad taking the children and threatening to not allow them to return. We have several cases like this. It’s not a new thing by any stretch of the imagination, but the pandemic has definitely made holding these people accountable a little more difficult. In some ways, I … [Read more...]
Dealing with Anxiety in Custody and Visitation Situations
Dealing with Anxiety In Custody and Visitation Situations It’s a common refrain: my child’s father just doesn’t do things that I believe are critical to protect my children’s safety when they’re in his care. With coronavirus, it’s even worse. We’re all feeling a little extra anxious; the world feels like such an uncertain place. It’s crazy to think that just, like, two months ago, everything was “normal”, whatever that means. Now, with the governor’s stay at home order and the Supreme … [Read more...]
Juvenile and Circuit Court Custody Case Procedures
Juvenile and Circuit Court Procedure in Virginia Custody Cases You think you might have to file for custody. Maybe something has been brewing for awhile. Maybe recent coronavirus concerns have forced some difficult issues to light. Maybe there’s a looming change in circumstances, like a move, a new job, a school change, or a wedding. Whatever the case may be, most parents find themselves looking at either reaching a new custody agreement or potentially going back to court to litigate custody … [Read more...]
What should I do if my child’s father is using coronavirus to keep my child away?
What should I do if my child’s father is using coronavirus to keep my child away? Even though Governor Northam’s order specifically allows you to leave your home in order to exchange a child pursuant to a custody and visitation order, there are a lot of parents who are using fears surrounding coronavirus as an excuse to deliberately withhold a child. I guess that’s always the case. These thing are inherently rife with ways to purposefully misunderstand and willfully ignore, especially when … [Read more...]
Essential Workers: Custody and Visitation Concerns
Essential Workers: Custody and Visitation Concerns An ER doctor in Florida recently lost custody of her 4 year old daughter on a temporary basis as fears of the coronavirus pandemic escalate around the country. We keep reading about the stories of heroes who keep working despite the dangers of COVID-19, and we’ve realized recently how dependent we are on some of them: grocery workers, delivery drivers, transportation sector workers, doctors, nurses, hospital aides, nurse practitioners, on … [Read more...]
Can I refuse overnight visitation because of coronavirus?
Can I refuse overnight visitation because of coronavirus? The pandemic is changing the world. It’s changing everything, and there’s a lot of underlying fear causing people to make decisions that are more or less conducive to supporting a parenting arrangement. I’ve heard of all sorts of things recently. Parents not wanting to send their children to visitation is nothing new, of course, but COVID-19 has changed things. Even though the governor’s stay at home order clearly allows exceptions … [Read more...]
What if a shelter in place order is issued? What about visitation?
What if a shelter in place order is issued? What about visitation? I keep hearing a lot of “what ifs” lately, and it makes sense. There hasn’t been another pandemic like this in living memory, and these are exceptional times. Every morning these days, I get up and check the news, terrified of what I might see. I keep seeing news articles and hearing rumors that suggest that total lock down is on the way. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t – but, either way, as a mama, it’s scary. And you’ve … [Read more...]
