COVID 19 / Coronavirus-Blended Families

Gilbertson Davis LLPCustody and Access, Family Law, Mobility Issues0 Comments

Given the current COVID-19 crisis, many families may be struggling to adjust to alternative custody and parenting arrangements, especially with blended families.  Although emotions may be running high and current arrangements not ideal, the case law has been clear: “None of us know how long this crisis is going to last.  In many respects we are going to have to put our lives “on hold” until COVID-19 is resolved.  But children’s lives – and vitally important family relationships – cannot be placed “on hold” indefinitely without risking serious emotional harm and upset. “ In Ribeiro v Wright, 2020, ONSC 1829 the separated parties had joint custody of their son since 2012.  The son had always resided primarily with the mother, with the father having access on alternate weekends. The father, prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, had brought a motion to increase his parenting time, however this had not yet been … Read More