What You Need to Know About Divorcing During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The novel coronavirus pandemic can present another layer of challenge to your divorce. Here’s how to get a divorce during COVID-19 in California.
To divorce during COVID-19 in California, complete, review, and file your initial divorce papers with your local family court. Family courts are still open during coronavirus pandemic. The court clerk is still accepting divorce filings; court hearings and mediation can be held virtually.
Filing Divorce Papers
The first step of your California divorce during COVID-19 is to fill out, review, and file your petition for divorce and all necessary paperwork with your local court clerk. The COVID-19 pandemic should not affect the way in which you start the divorce process. California family courts are open and still taking and processing cases. After the court clerk processes and stamps the necessary divorce forms, these forms, along with other divorce paperwork, must be served to the other spouse. The spouse will then either not reply, contest, or agree to the petitioning spouse’s request for the divorce.
For more information on how to start a divorce during COVID-19 in California, click here.
Divorce Proceedings Over Video Conference
Depending on the other spouse’s response, the divorce proceedings will either be held in court, mediation, or arbitration. California courts allow couples to continue their divorce proceedings through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Court Hearings
While California family courtrooms are physically closed during COVID-19, divorce court hearings are still being held virtually. The judge and all parties involved can appear via video for court proceedings. However, the coronavirus lockdown situation is changing; check with your local California county to see if courts are physically in session.
However, urgent matters like domestic violence, child abuse, child abduction, or restraining order requests can still be held in-person in some courts. Contact your local county court to see if your case can be handled in-person.
Virtual Mediation
Couples looking to settle divorce terms in mediation can do so either in-person or over video chat. Divorce mediators are typically more than willing to accommodate their client’s preferences. Spouses can either socially distance in a mediation session or appear on video chat with their attorneys and mediators present. Contact Her Lawyer to get in touch with one of our divorce mediators. We’ll accommodate your needs and preferences during COVID-19.
Related: Domestic Violence During COVID-19
Determining Child Custody During COVID-19
COVID-19 lockdowns have presented new challenges to spouses trying to resolve child custody terms. More parents and children are staying at home, so child custody can be a bit more difficult to settle. Spouses should realize their children’s and their own complications caused by COVID-19 when determining child custody.
However, parents realize that these conditions are relatively temporary and that their child custody terms should be flexible to the situations at hand. A custody agreement can include a provision clearly stating custody and visitation schedules that may be affected by the coronavirus.
Get a Lawyer
It’s imperative to have legal representation when divorce, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coronavirus has presented a new set of challenges to divorcing spouses. In such uncertain times, an attorney can provide clarity, advice, and representation to a spouse going through a divorce. Practicing social distancing while also attempting to settle serious divorce matters can be difficult.
Your lawyer can either meet in person and observe social distancing, or you can talk over the phone or video chat; it’s completely up to you. Contact Her Lawyer to get in touch with one of our divorce attorneys. We’ll accommodate your needs and preferences during COVID-19.
Contact Us
If you’re looking to divorce during COVID-19 in California, contact Her Lawyer. We’ll get you in touch with the most qualified attorney or mediator for your unique legal situation. Your attorney can meet with you over the phone, socially distanced in person, or over video chat; its completely up to you. We’re here for you 24/7. Your first consultation is free.