NewsTalk 1010: Teens of Divorce Switching Homes - Featuring Laura Paris, Shulman & Partners

In a NewsTalk 1010 appearance, Laura Paris, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP, speaks about how COVID-19 is reshaping parenting dynamics for separated families in Ontario. As infection numbers rise and talk of further lockdowns continues, many teenagers are asking to move from one parent’s home to the other. Laura explains that these requests are not always about safety or emotional needs. In some cases, teens are “parent shopping” for the more lenient household when it comes to COVID protocols, schoolwork and social life. The interview explores how courts view these moves, what parents should weigh before agreeing, and how changes in residence can affect child support and schooling, all through the lens of the child’s best interests.

"When you're looking at custody and access issues, they’re determined based on the best interest of the child, and when assessing the best interest of the child, part of that is considering views and preferences of the kids."
— Alyssa Bach, Associate Lawyer at Shulman & Partners LLP

Laura notes that the pandemic has intensified tensions in many homes, especially where relationships were already strained before COVID-19. After the first lockdown, Shulman & Partners LLP saw a noticeable increase in inquiries, not only about separation, but also about teenagers wanting to change which parent they live with. Legally, decisions about custody and access are grounded in the best interests of the child. A key part of that analysis is the child’s views and preferences, which carry more weight as the child approaches late teenage years.

In ordinary times, when a teen wants to move from one parent’s home to the other, many families resolve it without going to court. Parents are encouraged to talk, understand the reasons for the requested move, and find a solution that respects the young person’s growing autonomy. What is different now, Laura explains, is the nature of those reasons. Some teens are gravitating toward the parent with more relaxed COVID-19 rules, fewer limits on seeing friends, or less supervision of online learning and schoolwork. This “parent shopping” makes it harder for the other parent to accept the change as being in the child’s best interests.

Laura emphasizes that parents need to look carefully at what is really motivating the request. If the move is driven mainly by lenient rules that could compromise schooling or health, there may be a basis to resist the change, although doing so can increase tension at home. Each situation is fact specific and may require legal advice, especially where there are serious concerns about safety or neglect.

She also highlights the financial impact when a child’s primary residence changes. If the child moves from one parent to the other, child support obligations follow. A parent who has received support for many years may suddenly stop receiving payments and begin paying support instead. That shift can significantly affect cash flow and lifestyle, and it is a consequence that should be understood before any decision is made.

School location is another factor. A move to a new household in a different area often triggers a school change, especially where school catchment rules apply. Even with online learning, the expectation is that school placement will eventually align with the child’s primary residence.

Throughout the interview, Laura encourages families to resolve these issues amicably where possible. Because teens’ preferences matter and pandemic-related concerns can be difficult to prove in court, open discussion, creative compromise, and professional support such as counseling or mediation are often better paths than immediate litigation.

Listen to the full NewsTalk 1010 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.