How will coronavirus impact childcare arrangements?

Gibson Kerr Solicitors Press releases

Comment article by Fiona Rasmusen, Partner and Head of Family Law at Gibson Kerr

IT HAS become clear over the last couple of weeks that every person in the country is affected in one way or another by coronavirus and the necessary changes in the way that we live our lives.

The situation is fast moving and government guidelines are being regularly updated. It is important that everybody follows the guidelines.

We have noticed that this is impacting particularly on families where parents are separated and children are being cared for sometimes by one parent and sometimes by the other. Questions are arising as to whether children should visit absent parents, what should happen if one parent is self isolating or if one parent or the child starts to display symptoms of the virus.

We are already dealing with several cases where these issues have arisen and difficulties are particularly acute if there are court orders in place and if tensions between the parents are already high. Equally, it is important, in our view, that during this period children are able to spend time with both parents as far as that is consistent with government guidelines.

Since the lockdown was ordered, the situation has become more difficult. The rules give only four reasons for people (including children) to leave their homes. That is for essential shopping, exercise once a day, medical needs and attending work that they cannot do at home.

There is an exception in the rules which states that children whose parents do not live in the same household can move between their parents’ homes.

Gibson Kerr's Head of Family Law Fiona Rasmusen | Legal PR in Scotland

The courts have themselves all but closed, and are dealing only with the most urgent of cases. In these times, it is important that parents exercise good judgement about arrangements for their children and that any contact and residence arrangements for children are worked within government guidelines.

Parents must also sensibly consider the whole circumstances, including the risk of infection to the child, parents and others with whom the child might come in contact. It is desirable that parents can have sensible discussions about how childcare arrangements can best work in this new and fast moving situation.

Difficulties will arise particularly where there are court orders in place for one parent to have contact with a child. In normal circumstances if it is proposed that a contact order be departed from for medical reasons evidence of illness would be lodged with the court. It seems that in these times it may be difficult or impossible to obtain such medical evidence.

Frontline medical staff are stretched to the limit and it is unclear as to how or whether testing facilities can be accessed. Parents should be mindful of the unprecedented situation in which we all find ourselves, and try to work with each other to find the best solution.

Clearly a whole other set of difficulties will arise in situations where parents live remotely from each other, but hold court orders for contact with children. We have many clients who live remotely from their children, including abroad, and this is a particularly difficult time for those children and their parents. At this time, efforts should be made for children to remain in touch with absent parents, through Facetime, Skype etc.

It is hoped that the current situation will be short lived but on all the current evidence there seems to be no guarantee of that. If you have difficulties in this area our solicitors are able to provide advice and support and we are ready to assist.

Fiona Rasmusen, Solicitor, 0131 226 9161

Sue Anne MacAulay, Solicitor, 0131226 9168

About Gibson Kerr

Operating from two Edinburgh city centre locations and specialising in personal law, family law and property, Gibson Kerr is led by its three partners Scott and Fiona Rasmusen, and Lindsay Maclean.

Fiona is Head of Family Law, the Property team is headed by Scott, while Partner Lindsay, who joined the firm in 2007, is Head of Personal Law.

The team at Gibson Kerr understand that taking the first step in consulting a family lawyer can be daunting – and so offer a fixed fee of £225 for preliminary advice.

To book, simply call 0131 202 7516 – or fill out an online enquiry form via www.gibsonkerr.co.uk

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