COVID-19 and Divorce Resources
Contemplating divorce and the resources available to you can be difficult and confusing under normal circumstances, but even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic and these unprecedented times we are facing. Although we have been ordered to stay at home amid COVID-19, we recognize that your legal needs have not subsided. At Scroggins Law Group, PLLC we have several resources available to our clients and our law office is open and functioning at full capacity. Some things have been adjusted to accommodate social distancing guidelines and stay at home orders, but you can rest assured that while certain things are being conducted virtually instead of in person, our law office is ready and willing to help you.
Our consultations are currently being offered through Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime to allow potential clients to connect with an attorney face to face so that they can get to know and become comfortable with them despite shelter in place orders, social distancing rules, and COVID-19 concerns. During your initial consultation, one of our attorneys will listen to you explain your situation and then walk you through the legal options available to you and answer any questions you have regarding your divorce. Divorce is a difficult decision that can be both stressful and frightening. We are here to help you navigate through that difficult time and so that you can make the decisions that are best for you.
You are still able to file a new divorce case during the current shelter in place orders and COVID-19. Much of the process of a divorce case continues to be the same as it was before the COVID-19 outbreak. Some situations will require a virtual experience instead of being conducted in person, but Scroggins Law Group, PLLC invested in technology early on and is very comfortable incorporating virtual conferences and hearings in our day-to-day practice. Our attorneys have attended trainings regarding Zoom and other platforms used for virtual hearings as well as attended trainings over the rules and procedures for virtual hearings in various counties and courts. The attorneys at Scroggins Law Group, PLLC are well versed in technology and have easily made the switch from in person to virtual hearings, mediations, and conferences. We are more than happy to help our clients make any required adjustments to successfully participate in virtual hearings, conferences, and mediations throughout their case, as well as walk our clients through the virtual resources available to them and they can best be utilized.
Essential hearings, such as hearings regarding family violence involving the allegations of abuse or neglect of a spouse or child, are still being conducted and are being given priority by the courts. Endangerment of a child and abuse cases are always considered essential matters. You should not stay in any situation that is unsafe for you or your family. We are here to help explain to you the resources at your disposal for the protection of both you and your family and guide you on how the court can assist you to secure that protection. Other hearings are being heard virtually in some courts when there is room on their docket. These are being scheduled through Zoom and Microsoft Teams depending on which county and court your case is in. Our attorneys have quickly adopted Zoom and Microsoft Teams into daily use and will help our clients become comfortable using this technology in preparation for their virtual hearing. While in some instances these hearings have been pushed back or delayed during the stay at home orders, the attorneys at Scroggins Law Group, PLLC are working diligently with the courts to have these matters heard.
Mediations are also being highly encouraged by the courts during this time. While mediations are still being used to attempt to reach a settlement agreement, they are additionally being used to reach an agreement on things such as Temporary Orders, which typically would be heard before a judge. The mediations are being conducted virtually and have been running smoothly. Clients and attorneys can speak with the mediator as well as have private conversations among themselves through breakout rooms in Zoom during their mediation just like they would be able to do in person. Zoom and other video conferencing applications have allowed for business to be conducted as usual while ensuring everyone is safe and following social distancing guidelines amid COVID-19 all with the added convenience of staying at home.
Now is also a great time to gather documentation and get things in order for your case while staying at home. Your attorney is available by phone as well as several video conference platforms to help you get a plan in place for the investigation and documentation portions of your divorce case. The attorneys at Scroggins Law Group, PLLC can guide you through collecting statements, documents, witnesses, and anything else you may need to gather to prove your case. This can be done easily and seamlessly while sheltering at home and social distancing during COVID-19.
There are many resources available to you during your divorce amid COVID-19. We are here to guide you through how to select and best use those resources. Scroggins Law Group, PLLC is working constantly and diligently to stay on top of all changes in court proceedings related to COVID-19 and divorce cases. It is our priority to keep our clients informed of these changes and how COVID-19 will affect their cases. As always, our client’s best interest is at the heart of everything we do.
Contact Scroggins Law Group, PLLC today at 214-469-3100 for information about COVID-19 and divorce resources. We are here to help you and your family during this unprecedented time.
