Answers to pressing questions on Family Law Family Matters by John Syrtash Access to Children, Covid-19, and our Underfunded Courts from the 70's a child access to his mother or father. As long as the access parent agrees to stay safe then such an excuse to deny access is specious. t's Passover and I shouldn't be surprised, but I was. Why? This is So, what to do? The problem is that the Courts are now closed, a time when social distancing has ironically brought people much except for "urgent matters" until at least the end of May 2020. closer together. As children we sang "He's got the whole world in his hands. He's got..." So even estranged or distanced friends and family members contact each other; children call their parents; seriously as custody claims, child support, or allegations of child the elderly and disabled are being called by those who should have abuse or claims for restraining Orders. When this happens, the Court called well before this crisis; and acts of kindness are legend: just in time for Pesach. At the BAYT synagogue in Thornhill Ontario Rabbi Korobkin organized volunteer University students to deliver groceries to shut ins. Many have found spiritual renewal in prayer John Syrtash Only exceptionally urgent motions, such as child abduction, will be considered. The courts sometimes treat unfair access denial less B. A. (Hon.), LL.B. Associate Garfin Zeidenberg LLP Family Lawyer & Mediator for 39 years punishes the child since unfair access denial is akin to child abduc- tion and is a form of child abuse. Mr. Syrtash is Senior Family Law Associate to Garfin Zeidenberg LLP, celebrating 39 years as a Family Law lawyer this year. The real problem is that the Family Courts in Ontario are not prop- erly funded to embrace the technology of 2020, not 1970. Judges through charitable donations. Even the canals of Venice spew fresh could be hearing matters from their homes if video live streaming Suite 800, 5255 Yonge Street water, no longer a sewer. (at Norton) just north of Mel Lastman Square, on the internet, like Zoom, could be accommodated rather than closing down the Court. Yes, our health concerns are currently par- amount, and they should be. But when its over we need to quickly bring the Courts up to date. Stevie Wonder: move over. Its time for Taylor Swift. And I mean swift. However, a letter I just received did, in fact, surprise me. A client Civic Centre Subway station of mine, the father, is separated and has a small child who lives with his mother. We asked for access which she had denied for some time. But now she's continuing to deny it solely because of Covid-19. Unless there is a valid medical reason then no parent, especially in these uncertain times, should use the pandemic to deny readers a chag Pesach kasher vesame'ach Toronto, ON MSG 1E6. John Syrtash can be reached at (416) 642-5410, Cell (416) 886-0359. At Garfin Zeidenberg LLP we would like to wish all our Visit www.freemychild.com; www.spousalsupport.com; www.garfinzeidenberg.com. Neither Garfin Zeidenberg LLP nor John Syrtash is liable for any consequences arising from anyone's reliance on this material, which is presented as general information and not as a legal opinion. Sponsored by the Community for Jewish Culture of B'Nai Brith Canada. Answers to pressing questions on Family Law Family Matters by John Syrtash Access to Children, Covid-19, and our Underfunded Courts from the 70's a child access to his mother or father. As long as the access parent agrees to stay safe then such an excuse to deny access is specious. t's Passover and I shouldn't be surprised, but I was. Why? This is So, what to do? The problem is that the Courts are now closed, a time when social distancing has ironically brought people much except for "urgent matters" until at least the end of May 2020. closer together. As children we sang "He's got the whole world in his hands. He's got..." So even estranged or distanced friends and family members contact each other; children call their parents; seriously as custody claims, child support, or allegations of child the elderly and disabled are being called by those who should have abuse or claims for restraining Orders. When this happens, the Court called well before this crisis; and acts of kindness are legend: just in time for Pesach. At the BAYT synagogue in Thornhill Ontario Rabbi Korobkin organized volunteer University students to deliver groceries to shut ins. Many have found spiritual renewal in prayer John Syrtash Only exceptionally urgent motions, such as child abduction, will be considered. The courts sometimes treat unfair access denial less B. A. (Hon.), LL.B. Associate Garfin Zeidenberg LLP Family Lawyer & Mediator for 39 years punishes the child since unfair access denial is akin to child abduc- tion and is a form of child abuse. Mr. Syrtash is Senior Family Law Associate to Garfin Zeidenberg LLP, celebrating 39 years as a Family Law lawyer this year. The real problem is that the Family Courts in Ontario are not prop- erly funded to embrace the technology of 2020, not 1970. Judges through charitable donations. Even the canals of Venice spew fresh could be hearing matters from their homes if video live streaming Suite 800, 5255 Yonge Street water, no longer a sewer. (at Norton) just north of Mel Lastman Square, on the internet, like Zoom, could be accommodated rather than closing down the Court. Yes, our health concerns are currently par- amount, and they should be. But when its over we need to quickly bring the Courts up to date. Stevie Wonder: move over. Its time for Taylor Swift. And I mean swift. However, a letter I just received did, in fact, surprise me. A client Civic Centre Subway station of mine, the father, is separated and has a small child who lives with his mother. We asked for access which she had denied for some time. But now she's continuing to deny it solely because of Covid-19. Unless there is a valid medical reason then no parent, especially in these uncertain times, should use the pandemic to deny readers a chag Pesach kasher vesame'ach Toronto, ON MSG 1E6. John Syrtash can be reached at (416) 642-5410, Cell (416) 886-0359. At Garfin Zeidenberg LLP we would like to wish all our Visit www.freemychild.com; www.spousalsupport.com; www.garfinzeidenberg.com. Neither Garfin Zeidenberg LLP nor John Syrtash is liable for any consequences arising from anyone's reliance on this material, which is presented as general information and not as a legal opinion. Sponsored by the Community for Jewish Culture of B'Nai Brith Canada.