COVID has been a challenge to all of us on many different levels, and the court system is no exception. Everyone had to suddenly change the way they’d been conducting business for decades. After being closed in 2020 by a Proclamation from Pennsylvania’s governor in response to the spread of COVID, everyone had to quickly figure out how to adapt to working remotely. This was a monumental task for law firms and courts.
IT experts had to be consulted, and equipment and software identified, purchased, installed and implemented while cases and clients were placed in a holding flight pattern. During that time, crime, domestic violence, emergency situations, etc., did not cease to occur. The County courts and law firms were placed in a very difficult situation: having to figure out how to continue to take care of their clients’ needs and the community’s needs when the courts were closed.
For months, the courts could only handle emergency matters. Delaware County attorneys were bringing emergency motions to the front of the County Courthouse, and leaving them in bins for court personnel to pick up and file. From there, they were brought to a Judge, who would then contact council or unrepresented parties to handle the motion. Can you imagine how hard it was for police departments and District Attorneys’ offices to manage the processing of arrests and domestic violence calls during all of this? The great news is that for the most part, people rose to the occasion and adapted. The courts slowly but surely re-opened.
COVID was a problem in custody cases as well. Separated parents didn’t know what to expect with custody arrangements when a child or someone in the household contracted COVID. The good news is that most separated parents handled the issues in a reasonable manner because it was psychologically better for the children and in their own best interests. The unfortunate side of the issue is that contentious parents used COVID as an excuse to alienate the other parent.
The courts couldn’t and didn’t stand for this, even with all the difficulties they faced from the closings and restrictions. This meant that the parent who had the child when COVID was contracted had to quarantine the child until a doctor advised otherwise and the other parent would receive make-up time. It was also important that when a child tested positive, the non-custodial parent had to be understanding and resist the desire to retrieve their child, to prevent the further spread. Finally, it became imperative that parents cooperate with each other to facilitate make-up time. The silver lining? It became evident that in most cases, the child was happier seeing their parents working together, plus it saved them all money and time by avoiding attorney fees and court costs.