During the current lockdown there are practical difficulties about contact with children whose parents are separated.

Children are able to move between two homes, so long as the parents live in the same community.  If parents live in different towns then children should not travel and alternative contact should be provided, such as Skype, Facetime, and other video contact and telephone contact.

It is also recommended that private vehicles are used to transport children between homes, and only the parents of the children should travel with the children.

If you have been overseas in the last 14 days, been in contact with someone who has been, or is currently being tested for COVID-19, or you, the child or anyone in your household is sick or vulnerable to infection, you should not move children between homes. Other options such as increased video or phone calling can be used instead.

Most importantly, where you can, talk to the other parent if there are any potential issues with contact.

Professional supervision services have been suspended during the lockdown period.  If there are protection orders in place it is important that you take advice from your family lawyer as to ways that contact may occur, before you attempt to contact the children and risk breaching a protection order.

The Courts are only dealing with the most urgent of applications that relate to safety at this time.



Leading law firms committed to helping clients cost-effectively will have a range of fixed-priced Initial Consultations to suit most people’s needs in quickly learning what their options are.  At Rainey Collins we have an experienced family law team who can answer your questions and put you on the right track.




Shaun Cousins
Family Lawyer
Wellington

Please note that Rainey Collins is not contracted to provide Legal Aid, other than in the Treaty of Waitangi area.  We therefore are unable to take on any Civil or Family Legal Aid work. If you require Legal Aid in those areas, you can search the list of Legal Aid lawyers on the Ministry of Justice website.