Amid the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic, parents who share custody of their children continue to face new challenges. In a time where stay-at-home orders, social distancing, working from home, and travel restrictions have become the new norm, parents are looking for guidance on how to handle issues relating to possession and access of their children. While Texas has been quick to take action to ensure compliance and consistency with existing child possession schedules, new issues continue to emerge relating to child custody disputes between parents.

During these unsettling times, it comes as no surprise that parents want to be extra cautious when it comes to the health and safety of their children. Many parents are concerned that exchanging their child for court-ordered periods of possession may expose the child to unknown risks associated with the virus, which raises the question of whether parents can restrict access to the other parent during these times. The Texas Supreme Court has issued several emergency orders stating that parties must continue to follow their court-ordered possession schedules and possession of and access to a child shall not be affected by any shelter-in-place order issued by any governmental entity. Even with these orders in place, parents continue to ask if and how they can restrict access to the other parent without violating their current orders. Some parents feel that the other parent may not adhere to social distancing guidelines by allowing the child to attend family gatherings and neighborhood parties. Other parents raise concerns that merely exchanging the child between households can subject younger siblings or older relatives to exposure to COVID-19.  All of these are valid concerns, but parents must follow their current orders unless there is an agreement to suspend or modify possession.