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Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parents

Child contact

15 replies

Bobo0909 · 21/03/2020 00:37

Hi I currently have a child arrangement order which states my child lives with me and spends time with Dad. In the event of lock down am I right in thinking my child would stay with me. I'm sick with worry. TIA xx

OP posts:

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SageYourResoluteOracle · 21/03/2020 00:42

I think it's a sensible idea to assume that your child will need to stay with you until this is over. It's the same for my DD - STBEx and I aren't yet divorced nor have we been through mediation so we haven't a formal agreement but she and I are in isolation as we've got symptoms (I've actually got COVID...) so for now it's a moot point but when lockdown happens- which it will need to- then everyone will have to stay where they are. It's awful and I feel guilty that DD won't see her dad but it's for everyone's safety, sadly. I cannot see any court questioning you right now as normal agreements and arrangements don't apply.

Bobo0909 · 21/03/2020 00:47

Thank you so much for your help. I hope you are both feeling better soon. Take care x

OP posts:

PleaseGiveMeAShake · 21/03/2020 00:54

I have the same worry right now OP.
My ex has 1 day a week he can see dc (court ordered) he only actually see's dc once every 2 weeks as "that all he can comit to"
Our dc, myself and my other dc all have asthma and his family are just back from a country that is in tight lockdown.
I am dreading the fallout of this situation.
But i will not risk dc but I know I will have a lot of hassle
I am so stressed by it all

DoveOfPiss · 21/03/2020 12:30

I was about to start a thread on this so thank you.
My 3 see their father for 8 hours every 2 weeks but he takes them 40 miles away to his elderly relative who is in the 'at risk' category.
I need to broach the possibility that he not see them for an indefinite period but am not sure I'll get a positive reaction.
He is the type to say it's all a fuss about nothing. I really am at a loss as to what to do. Nothing will be open for him to take them to anyway.

Stella8686 · 21/03/2020 12:39

My DD is at her dads now. He said today he's cherishing the time in case we go into lock down. Makes sense, just have an open conversation with him if you can OP

maybelle4 · 21/03/2020 13:16

I was at court this week and although dc and I are in isolation due to being in contact with some who has the virus the judge over ruled and granted contact :(

DoveOfPiss · 21/03/2020 13:21

@maybelle4 that's outrageous!! They should at least wait until your quarantine has finished.

Llyn · 21/03/2020 13:34

Lucy Reed, an experienced family law barrister, has written this blog post on the subject of Child Arrangements Orders and COVID-19: www.pinktape.co.uk/rants/corona-virus-and-separated-parents-what-to-do/

Bobo0909 · 21/03/2020 13:38

He is not the most reasonable of people, I've mentioned it once and the response wasnt great. That's why I was hoping for a bit of clarity. If I have a residency order surely he stays with me. I'm happy for him to still have contact up until lockdown.

OP posts:

maybelle4 · 21/03/2020 14:13

@DoveOfPiss I think it’s outrageous too. The judge said if DC dad was willing to risk himself then that was his choice.

VadenuRewetje · 21/03/2020 15:21

@maybelle4 I think you should tell your MP about that - I think the government should intervene if the judiciary is overuling sensible decisions to prevent virus spread and putting people at risk.

DoveOfPiss · 21/03/2020 16:13

Update:
Bloody hell, I just got an email back saying only

"Yes I agree"...

Wonders will never cease. I am amazed, and very very relieved.

NorthernSpirit · 21/03/2020 18:50

The UK is under ‘ social distancing’ NOT isolation.

Social distancing aims to reduce the amount of close contact.

Does that mean never going out?

No.

Legal advice on child contact arrangements:

Do parents have to stick to court orders?

Court orders are meant to be stuck to, and they can be enforced if they aren’t.

If it is safe and practical to do so you should stick to them and you should expect the other parent to do so.

Business as usual here.

I’ve read some batshit things on here..... dads speaking to their kids through windows.....

NorthernSpirit · 21/03/2020 19:21

Sorry..... posted on the wrong thread

klw777 · 23/03/2020 12:52

I plan to continue with the shared care of my children. I’m not taking my children near anyone vulnerable and therefore see no reason why I shouldn’t take them to their Dad so I can get some work done / stay sane.

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