During this time of social distancing, parents who are unmarried, separated, or divorced and have current custody and parenting time orders must decide how to proceed with quarantines related to COVID-19. The current situation is challenging for such parents to determine how to maneuver their children safely from one household to another while protecting the public.  

First and foremost, it is important to follow your court orders and use your best judgment in determining if parenting time is safe and appropriate. It is crucial for both parents to communicate fully about their concerns and the children’s safety. 

Here are a few tips to navigate this time with as little intrusion as possible:

1. Follow all State orders regarding shelter-at-home.
2. Communicate effectively with the other parent on what your intentions and their intentions are on parenting time.
3. Be flexible during this time to provide each parent with additional or make-up parenting time.
4. Prepare contingency plans for the care of your children in the event either or both of you become ill with COVID-19, or are exposed to the virus.
5. Discuss all concerns if either parent is a healthcare worker and would be exposed to the virus.
6. Engage with your children creatively if in-person parenting time is not an option. For example, set times for FaceTime calls, watch movies together, or play video games together.
7. Provide make-up time for parents who are essential employees and are unable to exercise their parenting time during the COVID-19 epidemic.

It is important that if the parents disagree on parenting time and custody during this period, and have good faith concerns for their own and/or the children’s health, you must file a Petition with the Court and obtain a court order.