The COVID-19 outbreak has impacted almost every area of daily life. In New York, the stay-at-home order has family law professionals seeing an uptick in child custody disputes. Some parents see the current state of affairs as a reason to avoid maintaining previously determined custody and visitation agreements. Here’s more about how to deal with these arrangements during this time.

How the Stay-at-Home Order Impacts Child Custody

The types of child custody disputes related to COVID-19 vary. In some cases, one parent may disapprove of the other parent's lack of social distancing. In other instances, a parent may see this as an opportunity to get more time with their kid and not pass the child over to the other parent when they are supposed to. 

Normally, the police can be called in such instances. Such interventions are less common during COVID-19, however, as law enforcement resources are already stretched thin. While the repercussions for violating a child custody order may thus not be immediate, people who break these guidelines will still face consequences.

Why You Should Always Play by the Rules With Child Custody

Child custody agreements are legally binding. They are reviewed and approved by the family law courts. When you violate a child custody order, you’re going against a court-determined decision and may be found in contempt of court. This is a serious matter and can result in losing custody or visitation rights completely.

If you want to make changes to your existing child custody arrangements at any time, this should be done through the courts. Commonly accepted reasons for a modification include a significant change in the circumstances of a parent, such as losing their job; abandonment, abuse, or neglect of the child; or any other reason why a change might be in the little one's best interests.

If you need to know more about how the stay-at-home order impacts your child custody arrangements, contact Pirrello, Personte & Feder, PLLC, Attorney at Law in Rochester, NY. They’ve served Monroe County and the surrounding areas with up-to-date, knowledgeable legal guidance for over 50 years. They take pride in communicating openly and efficiently with clients, and will make themselves easily available to you so that you can stay on top of your case. Their practice areas include family law, trusts and estates, and real estate law. To request a meeting with an attorney, call (585) 544-7090 or fill out the online contact form.