Child contact

[Bobo0909]

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 :(

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

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/

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.

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

@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.

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.

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.....

Sorry..... posted on the wrong thread

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.