Impact of COVID–19 on Parenting Time

March 30th, 2020 by Tiffany Hughes

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Illinois has issued a mandatory stay-at-home order requiring people to remain in their homes unless they have an essential job or are doing an essential task, such as going to the grocery store or walking a pet. Under the stay-at-home order, if you are traveling pursuant to a court ordered parenting time or custody agreement, to pick up or drop off your minor child, the travel involved for each parent to have their scheduled parenting time is considered essential travel. This means that even though the order is requiring Illinoisans to stay at home, you are still in compliance with the Governor’s order if you travel in the interest of exchanging your child with the other parent.

Parenting Time To Proceed As Usual

If you have shared parenting time of your minor child, the other parent cannot unreasonably withhold your parenting time or refuse to pick up or drop off your child, even with the current COVID-19 crisis. Unless your child is presently sick or exhibiting symptoms, both parents are required to continue to follow the parenting plan in your case. If the other parent is unreasonably refusing to comply with any court order regarding parenting time in your case, or refusing to pick up or drop off your minor child according to your parenting plan, you may be able to file an emergency motion in court.

Is It Safe to Travel with My Child?

If you are concerned about whether it is safe to travel with your minor child and are unsure if you will be violating your parenting plan, call The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes today to speak to an attorney to ensure you are complying with the court orders of your case while ensuring your child’s health and safety.

Call Us Today

Here at The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, the firm is open and our attorneys are working diligently on all of our cases, are taking on new cases, and are available to provide clarity on parenting time issues in your case. For more information on how the family law attorneys at The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. can help you with your family law case during this COVID-19 pandemic, contact us to schedule your complimentary phone consultation today at 773-893-0228.

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This blog is made available by The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of Illinois law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this website you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C.. The website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in Illinois.  The law changes constantly and we do not go back in time to edit old posts that may be affected by these changes.  If you have any questions about Illinois law, which is the only State this blog and website discusses, please call The Law Office of Tiffany M. Hughes, P.C. for a free consultation and do not draw any legal conclusions without speaking to a competent attorney in Illinois first.