child custody and access

What is Custody?

Given its negative connotation and confusion, the term “custody” has been replaced with “decision-making responsibility”. Decision-making responsibility refers to the parental right to make the major decisions in your child’s life: education; health; culture, language, religion and spirituality; and significant extra-curricular activities. You and your co-parent can come up with your own parenting arrangements through mediation or collaborative process. When you do, make sure you put them in writing in a separation agreement or parenting plan, so as to avoid any miscommunication or future conflict.

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COVID-19: Judge Denies Mother’s Motion to Suspend Father’s Access because of Coronavirus

On March 22nd, 2020, the mother brought an urgent motion to suspend all in-person access for the father because of concerns over COVID-19. Upon review of the mother’s motion, Justice A. Pazaratz did not feel that suspending the father’s access was warranted. The child’s relationship with both parents is vitally important. COVID-19 does not mean that the child cannot leave the residence to spend time with the other parent.

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Divorce, Custody and Access during Coronavirus: Maturity, Sensibility and Flexibility

This is not the time to threaten with court, lawyers and/or ultimatums During this crisis, you need to work with each other, not with the courts, to protect your children’s safety and well-being. Judges are not trained in parenting your children, especially during a global pandemic.

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We agree on everything. Should we still mediate?

Mediation is a lot more than just a conflict/(alternative) dispute resolution process. Many families just need good information, guidance, and support in making decisions that best fit their needs and saves them time and money.

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My lawyer told me not to mediate. After $67,000 in legal fees and 3 years in court, I’m broken.

When they decided to separate, Lucy and her husband wanted to go through mediation. But her lawyer told her it’s a “waste of time and money”.

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Family Court: Well-known Judge Tells You What You Need to Know, Before You Head that Way.

Family Court Judge, Harvey Brownstone, warns families about going to court. Ask anyone who has ever appeared in family court as a litigant – even if they had a lawyer – and they are almost certain to describe their experience as unsatisfactory. Why? What can be done to help people so that their family court experience is more predictable, more positive and constructive, less time-consuming, and consequently more beneficial to themselves and their children? An even more important question is, What can be done to help people avoid going to court in the first place?

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