COVID-19 School Choices
In custody matters, decisions regarding where a child will go to school are legal custody issues. Where parties share legal custody, they must discuss and agree any time a change is to be made with regard to their child’s education. Now, schools are releasing plans to reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic, and parents are having to make choices about whether their children will return to school in person, whether they will attend remotely, or if they will take some other route.
Some schools are offering a choice to parents. They can choose for their child to return to school in person full-time or for them to attend virtual school full-time, for example. Some schools are offering a hybrid option where children will attend in person for part of the week and virtually for part of the week. Regardless of what options are available, parents must collaborate and cooperate to determine what is best for their child.
If parents cannot reach an agreement, the court will make a decision upon the filing of a petition. If one parent, for example, wishes for the child to return to school in person full time, and the other parent wishes for the child to attend school virtually, a petition would be filed and the parties will be given the opportunity to present their respective positions to a judge. The judge would then determine what is in the child’s best interest and will enter an order indicating whether the child will return in person or will attend school remotely.
These are difficult times, and there are difficult decisions to be made. If parties cannot agree with regard to options for attendance due to COVID-19, we can help. Click or Call 610-892-3877
