How COVID-19 Can Impact Your Divorce

Courthouses in Pennsylvania remain closed as a result of COVID-19 safety measures which means for many divorcing couples, this can really put a halt to your plans. While this is the most obvious way that the novel coronavirus has impacted Pennsylvania divorces, there are some other concerns pertaining to divorce you may not have yet considered.

Finances

Many individuals have lost employment or are suffering through wage cuts as a result of COVID-19. As a result, you may have incurred more debt than you have prior to the outbreaks and before starting the divorce process.

With these new debts, you and your ex will have to figure out how these expenses will be divided in the divorce process. In addition, any money you had invested may now be at a shocking low. 

While we can expect the downturn to resolve, the question becomes when and how will you and your ex handle it in the meantime.

Employment Changes

If you were once a two-income household and now have dropped to one due to COVID-19, this may change how spousal and child support is allocated. Especially if it is uncertain whether you will have a job to return to or new opportunities down the line.

Though you may be able to find work once the stay-in-place mandates have lifted, it will be a large part of the equation when it comes to support payments. And, if you are the one who was the main breadwinner and now suddenly have seen a cut in income, this can also impact you as well.

Marital Home

You and your family may have been planning on selling the marital home and relocating once the divorce was finalized to give everyone a fresh start.  But with the housing market currently frozen, it seems you’ll be holding onto your white picket fence for a while longer.

Selling the marital home is likely the largest financial transaction of divorce and one not to take lightly. Added complications occur when one person had wanted to sell the home and split the sale and the other wanted to buy the person out so they could remain on the property. Chances are, if you haven’t already relocated, you and your ex may still be under the same roof for a while longer.

Co-Parenting

So many families are in a tough spot when it comes to co-parenting and self-isolation. Given the uncertainty of the state reopening the economy, you and your ex may be working together to co-parent during this already tense time.

Now is not the time to pick fights or question parenting styles. If anything, this is an opportunity to create positive memories for your kids during this difficult time to help them get through it all. So much of what they’ll remember is how you handled the situation and made them feel. Keep your children always at the forefront of your actions.

Safety

Finally, the most important element of divorce you may not have considered during COVID-19 outbreaks is that you and your ex need to be on the same page when it comes to the safety of the family.

Whether you are all on the same page or you are sharing custody, make sure you both agree to the terms of social distancing and hygiene. The last thing you want to happen is to have your child fall ill, leaving your ex to use it against you in custody court.

Contact Kalinoski Law Offices P.C. Today

We know things are uneasy right now. That’s why our family law firm is committed to helping you during this tumultuous time. We will thoroughly examine all of your options and help you prepare for the best possible post-divorce life for you and your children. For more information, contact our Scranton family law firm for a free initial consultation.

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