The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our lives in numerous ways, presenting new challenges and forcing us to adapt to a range of unprecedented circumstances. For divorced or divorcing parents in North Carolina, these changes can complicate co-parenting arrangements that were already complex to begin with.
After the changes of the past few years, it may be necessary to modify your co-parenting agreement and child custody order. You may be allowed to do that if 1) your circumstances have changed substantially and 2) this affects your children in a way that means changing the order would be in their best interest.
Here are three common situations you may have encountered:
1. Changes in Employment and Work Schedules
One significant challenge that many parents are facing these days is changes to their employment status or work schedule. The pandemic has led to job losses, transitions to remote work, or altered work hours for many.
2. Health and Safety Concerns
Health and safety are paramount, and the pandemic has heightened these concerns, especially for children. Co-parents might find themselves at odds regarding vaccination, in-person schooling decisions, or the appropriate level of exposure to social activities. If another pandemic pops up, disagreements might arise if one parent is more cautious about health protocols than the other or one parent is hesitant to vaccinate the kids.
3. Virtual Education and Technology Access
The shift to virtual schooling added an extra layer of responsibility on parents, many of whom were not prepared to manage their children’s education from home. This situation can be particularly strained in areas where internet access is inconsistent or inadequate. Although virtual schooling is now over, changes in the children’s education could occur for a variety of reasons. Whenever there is a change in the children’s schooling, there may be a reason to modify your parenting agreement.
Moving Forward
It’s important to remember that child custody orders are designed to meet the best interests of the children based on the circumstances at the time they were issued. However, when circumstances change significantly, as they often have during and after the pandemic, these orders can and should be revisited.
Modifications to custody agreements are usually handled through mutual agreement or mediation. However, if co-parents cannot reach an agreement, it may be necessary to seek a court’s intervention to ensure that the new challenges are adequately addressed and that the children’s needs continue to be met effectively.
Be sure to work with a compassionate attorney who will listen to your situation and work to get the modification you need.
