Help! The Other Parent is Denying Me Visitations During the Pandemic

As we continue to practice social distancing and fall into our new normal, I and my legal team have been inundated with calls from moms and dads just like you wanting to know what steps can be taken if the other parent is not allowing visitations.

There’s no doubt that the pandemic is real. Also, there is no doubt that some parents will use this time to deny the other parent visitations. In contrast, there is no doubt that there are parents who are concerned for the health and safety of their children. With the Riverside and San Bernardino Family Courts not set to fully reopen until after April 30^th now, the Courts are currently not hearing custody and visitation cases where the only issue is one parent not allowing visitations to the other parent. I know this can be a hard pill to swallow. Please take solace in knowing that storms do not last forever, and we are here if you need assistance.

Here are a few suggestions to help you get through this time until the Family Law Courts fully open again:

Co-Parent – I encourage both parents to work together to ensure the children have some form of contact with the other parent. Perhaps, a parent who truly believes there is a health risk can offer make-up visitation time to the other parent when it is safe to do so. Perhaps, parents can agree that the non-visiting parent can have more phone time with the children. Communication is the key and I know emotions can run deep. However, I encourage both parents to put emotions aside and try and work it out for the children.

Document Everything – If you are missing visitations with your child, document the visitations you have missed. You may be able to convince a Court later to give you makeup visitation time. If the other parent is being completely unreasonable, document those incidents too.

Zoom or FaceTime – Consider Zoom videoconferencing and FaceTime to communicate with your children. These are good options if you are not able to see your children currently.

Be Honest – If you or someone you have recently encountered is demonstrating symptoms, be honest with the other parent to protect everyone.

Be Understanding – These are stressful times, and everyone is trying to navigate through our new normal. Please allow grace to the other parent.

I and my team understand that you may be feeling discouraged at this time. We get it and are here for you if you have any questions. Once again, take solace in knowing storms do not last forever. I wish you and your family continued health, safety and protection.

Keep Your Chin Up,

Shauna M. Albright,

Founding and Managing Attorney of Albright Family Law Group

The information in this post is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

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