I Have Coronavirus and my Former Spouse Cannot Care for Our Children: What do we do?

Due to the health crisis in New Jersey and across the country, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing everyday lives. The virus has led to stay-at-home orders throughout the state and unfortunate hospitalizations for many people. As no one is able to predict the future, it is crucial that you have a plan in place should the illness impact your family. For example, if you are a divorced parent and become ill with the virus but your former spouse is unable to provide child care, what happens to your children? There are steps you can take to ensure their safety and protection during this time.

It is important to have a plan in place for situations such as these ahead of time, before the virus possibly reaches your family. This allows you to be prepared and not left wondering what to do once you or your former spouse are already sick. A plan can include establishing a power of attorney to name a legal guardian who would look after your children if neither of you can do so yourself. In these situations, a Limited Power of Attorney is a good choice, as it allows another person the right to act on behalf of another during a designated time period. This can include being a legal guardian for another person’s children during the Coronavirus outbreak. Without this, parents who cannot care for their children may need a relative to be appointed as kinship legal guardian by the court.

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If you require strong legal representation for matters related to divorce or family law, Haber Silver Russoniello & Dunn is here to help. We proudly represent clients in Morris County and throughout the state of New Jersey. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.