COVID-19: Custody and Parenting Time During the Pandemic

No. If you have a custody and parenting time order from the court, that order has not changed. You still need to follow what the order says.

Talk to the other parent about your concerns. Try to agree on steps you both can take to protect your child. This is a stressful time, but it is important to try to reach an agreement before deciding to go to court.

If you don’t think your child should go to the other parents’ house, but the other parent doesn’t agree, you have to get a court order. If you think it’s dangerous for your child to have parenting time with the other parent, you can file an emergency (ex parte) motion with the court. Read more about this in the Parenting Time (Visitation) and Parenting Plans fact sheet. 

If you have a court order, the other parent has to follow what it says. If the other parent won’t follow it, then there are ways to force someone to follow a court order.

• It's always best to file an emergency (ex parte) motion with the court. 
• You can also contact your local police department to enforce the court order BUT remember: having police there during parenting time exchanges can be stressful for children. And sometimes police don’t want to get involved in family issues. 

Find your Legal Aid office here: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/providers-and-clinics.

You can also apply for help from Legal Aid online: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/lawhelpmn-guide

Many in-person clinics have been canceled.  Some clinics are happening by phone or video conference.  To see if there is a clinic for your legal issue, select “Clinic” as the Service Type when searching here: https://www.lawhelpmn.org/providers-and-clinics.   

Mediation is another way to get help with co-parenting problems, without going to court. Community Mediation of Minnesota offers remote mediation at low or no cost.