One of the biggest challenges for families during this pandemic is how to handle timesharing. The Courts are keeping us informed, and the situation is fluid and changing. COVID-19 requires all of us to be creative to find solutions to difficult problems. The Supreme Court of Kentucky has issued an Order that provides as follows:

For purposes of determining a person’s right to possession of and access to a child under a court-ordered custody or parenting time schedule, the existing court order shall control. However, reasonable accommodations shall be made to account for extenuating circumstances related to the COVID-19 emergency and to give full effect to Executive Order 2020-215 and any other Executive Order intended to protect the overall public health and welfare. Specifically, the existing court order shall be considered temporarily modified to suspend parenting time for a period of 14 days for any person who:

1. Tests positive for COVID-19 or shares a household with someone who tests positive for COVID-19;
2. Has been advised that he or she, or someone with whom he or she shares a household, has possibly been exposed to COVID-19; or
3. Has, within the last 14 days, traveled to any area with a CDC Level 2 or 3 Travel Health Notice. Any person experiencing the above-listed circumstances shall, upon discovery, immediately notify the other party(ies).

Any person whose parenting time is suspended pursuant to this order shall be granted liberal communication with the child(ren) subject to any restrictions specifically stated in the existing order(s).

Nothing in this Order prevents parties from altering a custody or parenting time schedule by agreement if allowed by their court order(s), or courts from modifying their orders on an emergency basis or otherwise. The Supreme Court acknowledges that this is a rapidly evolving situation and respectfully asks all parties with a custody or parenting time order for patience and cooperation as we work to balance court access with public health.

The link to the Order is: https://kycourts.gov/courts/supreme/Rules_Procedures/202014.pdf

If you have any questions, we can help find a resolution. The Courthouses are closed to the public but the judges are still working and are available, when appropriate, to assist.