As a family and matrimonial law attorney practicing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for almost a year, I have seen parents battle over virtually everything including the pros and cons of having children attend school in person versus remote learning, the benefits of socialization for children attending daycare versus health concerns, the logistics of sharing access, travel versus staycations, attendance at extracurricular activities and playdates and the balance of many new stresses about children never before experienced.

The usual financial issues are even more pronounced given the raging pandemic, including the valuation of assets and in some cases their downward decline and non-payment and modifications of support due to rising unemployment. According to Stacy Francis, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst with Francis Financial who practices in the divorce arena, “Many divorcing couples are having to reign in their spending due to COVID-induced unemployment and underemployment. The financial ramifications of the pandemic are wreaking havoc on the finances of these divorcing couples creating a pressure cooker situation.”