Global News: Call for Province-Wide School Closures - Featuring Alyssa Bach, Shulman & Partners

During Ontario’s state of emergency and stay at home restrictions, many separated parents have been left asking what happens to custody schedules, school routines, and support obligations when daily life suddenly changes. In a Global News appearance, Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, discussed how co-parents can navigate uncertainty while keeping children’s routines as stable as possible. She addressed common concerns, including whether parenting exchanges are permitted during restrictions, how to handle changes when a child is learning from home, and what courts have expected from parents during earlier phases of the pandemic. Her comments also highlighted practical steps for avoiding misunderstandings, including clear communication and documenting any temporary changes in writing.

“We are continuing to encourage that parents follow their existing custody and access arrangements, and if changes are required, working to negotiate with your co-parent on a resolution that works for you before going into the court.”
— Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP

Alyssa spoke about the challenges separated parents face when public health restrictions disrupt the routines that custody and parenting schedules are built around. She described this period as especially difficult for co-parents because plans that once depended on school attendance, commuting, and predictable work hours have been altered by online learning and changing government rules.

She explained that her general recommendation is to continue following existing custody and access arrangements wherever possible. When changes are needed, she encouraged parents to work with their co-parent to negotiate a practical solution before turning to court. Alyssa noted that some families may need to adjust schedules because of specific circumstances, such as a parent working on the front lines, heightened COVID related concerns, a parent who must attend work in person, or a child who is learning online at home.

She also addressed a common question about whether parents can change an arrangement that was set by a court order without going back to court. Alyssa explained that a rehearing is not necessarily required, but she emphasized the importance of clarity. She encouraged parents to put any changes in writing and to be specific about what is being changed and why. In her view, misunderstandings often arise later when the nature of the change was never clearly documented, such as whether a change was meant to be temporary for COVID, tied to a job change, or limited to one weekend. She warned that the longer an informal arrangement continues, the more it can raise questions about whether the original order should still apply.

On the issue of travel during restrictions, Alyssa described the practical reality of separated families by noting that a child has two homes. In that context, parenting exchanges can still align with staying at home. She suggested that when parents live close by, maintaining the existing schedule is often workable, while longer distance travel may require temporary arrangements depending on the circumstances and the timeframe of restrictions.

Finally, Alyssa touched on support payments in precarious employment times. While she said she had not personally dealt with cases involving the Family Responsibility Office during COVID, she encouraged solution-focused conversations. She suggested that parents discuss the reasons for a requested reduction, whether it is temporary, and what efforts are being made to find alternate work, with an emphasis on practical temporary measures to get through the period of uncertainty.

Listen to the full Global News segment here. 

This media appearance is part of Shulman & Partners LLP’s ongoing contributions to Canadian family law discussions. Explore more of our media features in our In the Media  archive.