How to handle visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic

With statewide quarantine continuing into May, many Oklahoma families are eager for the news of when schools will in fact open again in the state of Oklahoma. Until that happens many divorced and separated families are questioning how to handle visitation since many visitation schedules are dependent on each child’s school schedule. Earlier this spring, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma enforced a second emergency ruling highlighting how separated parents should respond to custody agreements during the pandemic. The court ruled that “time shall not be affected by the school’s closure that arises from the COVID-19.” The ruling further describes custody agreements will not change unless there is a direct filing for an alteration with the court clerk’s office. The court, however, does recommend parents stand by the original visitation agreement during this time. Although this doesn’t necessarily alter the original custody agreement, it does allocate the same amount of time to each party even if some of that time was when children were in school prior to the pandemic. It is suggested that parents offer leeway and understanding with visitation and time-sharing as courts are moving forward to come back into session as soon as possible.