Separation and Divorce During COVID-19: Steps to Take During Lockdown

Despite being told that “this is the new normal”, there is nothing normal about the current coronavirus pandemic shutdowns and the related experiences people are enduring throughout Virginia, 这个世界.  Many families are hunkered down in a home where parents are trying to assume new roles that may include classroom teacher, 孩子的艺人, 在某些情况下, 全职配偶.  Every family has its own dynamic which develops into their “normal” lives.  有些起作用，有些不起作用.  With the current disruption there are many families who were not functioning for whatever reason before the shutdown and are now faced with an intense dose of that dysfunction on a daily, 如果不是按小时计算的话.  What should you do when the looming reality of a possible marital spilt before the quarantine is now imminent?

Keep It Together and Put the Children First

The paramount priority for a family with minor children is to safeguard and protect the child or children’s best interests. 这是基本的.  Such a statement may seem obvious to any parent.  然而, 在危机中, 即使是头脑最清醒的人, 最好的打算, individual may lose sight of their child’s needs and fail to realize that their conduct and interaction may contribute to a child’s suffering during an unsure and disconcerting time.  And then put a global pandemic not seen since the last century in the mix.  如果你发现自己被隔离了 事实上的 estranged spouse and have minor child or children living in the home, you must do your best to keep your child’s perspective at the forefront of your priorities.  Refrain from any hostility, no matter how subtle, with your spouse within earshot of your child.  If you must have it out with your spouse, do so when the child or children can’t witness it.  你的律师会感谢你的.  Your children will thank you when they are older.  这是正确的做法.

把它们放在一起，优化你的时间

优化关闭期间的时间.  If you are one of the many Virginians who have been put out of work or are working remotely from home, you may have extra time on your hands to tend to matters you’ve otherwise neglected.  Put this time to good use by getting your affairs in order.  列一份收入文件清单, 纳税申报表, 银行账户, 个人财产, 退休账户, 不动产, 投资, 和债务.  Gather statements and other correlating documentation that will help you identify and value property.  Having this information organized and accessible will make it easier to provide to your attorney when the time comes. 

法院审理的紧急事项

The Supreme Court of Virginia has virtually shut down all civil court proceedings throughout the Commonwealth.  A select few proceedings are still being heard by the courts generally on a very strict emergency basis.  保护令申请, 保护儿童亚洲博彩平台排名事宜, and emergent custody issues requiring a timely temporary order are receiving priority.  These types of matters may find their way into a very streamlined or virtual court room during the Court’s shutdown order.  其他事项涉及冗长 诉讼中 hearing or divorce trial are being set on the back burner and will have to be docketed when the Court gives the local courts the green light to do so. 

Actions You Can Take Now, Outside of Court

不过, this does not mean that you cannot contact an attorney amidst the shutdown to get advice, 讨论问题, 然后得到答案.  There are still many issues that can be resolved without making a court appearance.  If two parties can agree on terms of divorce, 配偶/子女抚养费的修改, 托管/探视安排, or other family law matters that merely require the court to act in an administrative capacity, then those matters can often be finalized during the shutdown.  If you are in a situation that needs to be addressed and believe you are stuck and unable to act, 再想想.  Reach out to counsel and explore your options.  你不必等.  Just like the coronavirus pandemic and consequential shut down will eventually end, 事情会好起来的.  一切都会恢复正常.  In fact, that new normal may be a better normal. 

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