It is almost time for our children to head back to school, like any other fall-except it is not. The turmoil surrounding back to school this year is truly inconceivable. Should students be mandated to receive a Covid-19 vaccine? Should staff and teachers be mandated to receive a Covid-19 vaccine? Should there be a mask mandate? Would that apply to teachers and students both, and staff? What happens at lunch period, with some schools having hundreds of students eating in close proximity all at the same time, obviously without masks. What about children under 12 who are not even eligible for the vaccine?
Everyone has some opinion, from Anti-vaxxers to no mask mandates, sometimes with violent clashes. As lawyer we are inundated with questions on personal freedoms. Most heartbreaking is when divorcing or divorced parents are on opposite sides of the debate. Is this an issue for the Family Court to decide? If not them, who? Even celebrities have issues surrounding vaccinations. Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz are on opposite sides of the fence. Charlie Sheen (anti-vaxx) and Denise Richards (pro vaxx) famously went to Court over their vaccine dispute. Richards prevailed.
The truth in the Family Courts is that there is no hard and fast rule. In fact, the Court may slice out custody rights only concerning vaccinations to one parent to make those decisions in that limited area. As the schools open and we see what the future may bring, it is likely that more and more of the cases will hit the Courts. It certainly is a year like no other.
If you have questions about your rights to give permission to have your child vaccinated, we are ready to help. Call EDENS LAW GROUP at 908 879-9499 and speak to an experienced custody lawyer today.
