Sandie and Joe had been married for 14 years. They have two children ages eight and 10, and they have been working successfully with a shared parenting plan since their divorce was final over two years ago.
Sandie works at the local hospital in town as a registered nurse, and Joe works at a veterinarian clinic.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, neither one of them want to continue the shared parenting as previously agreed-upon, and as ordered by the court. Their shared parenting plan requires that the children switch over to the other parents’ home every Sunday night, so the plan is one week on and one week off.
Sandie has told Joe that she no longer intends to bring the children to his home, because she feels that this is unnecessary travel and unnecessary exposure to the virus. Joe feels the same way. He does not want the children going to Sandie‘s home. He feels that because Sandie is working in a hospital environment, the children have greater exposure to this virus. Also, Joe is concerned that the children could transmit the virus to him as well, even if the children had no symptoms.
Sandie and Joe are at a standoff.
Currently the children are at Sandie’s home, and Sandie is planning on not returning them to Joe’s home in the next few days. She intends to simply keep them at her home. She plans on telling Joe that he can come visit the children, but that he has to come into the house with his shoes off and his hands washed regularly.
Joe will not accept this unilateral decision.
You can imagine the fireworks that are about to begin. The coronavirus is difficult enough for everybody, but now the domestic arguments that are going to take place in so many homes, including Joe and Sandie‘s home are going to be dramatic.
During this coronavirus pandemic, it is even more important to contact your trusted attorneys to prevent or help resolve these kinds of standoffs. The attorneys at Joseph & Joseph & Hanna stand ready to assist.
We maintain sanitary procedures within our office, and are available if you choose, by phone, telecommunication or Skype.
Stay safe and wash your hands.
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