Make Up Time-Sharing Considerations

The novel coronavirus pandemic is changing the world in dramatic ways. In these times of self-isolation, restricted travel, and social distancing, more and more unexpected issues are being addressed every day, including child custody and time-sharing.

Research has shown that continuing contact between both parents and their children offers reassurance and improved outcomes for children whose parents have divorced. However, since the first cases of coronavirus in the U.S. were confirmed in January 2020, parents are increasingly being denied access to their children, despite the existence of court-ordered parenting plans.

When a gatekeeping parent is disregarding court orders and using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to keep their children from the other parent, they are denying the children invaluable continuity and reassurance during what is likely an extremely fearful point in their lives. This disruption can and should be avoided, as long as family health can be protected.

How Florida Law Handles Improper Denial of Time-Sharing

Although the Florida child custody laws do not specifically address time-sharing during an emergency situation and the Supreme Court’s approved parenting plan form does not provide for such scenarios either, Florida law does speak to what might happen when a parent improperly denies time-sharing.