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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A pr il 23 ,2 02 0 | 4 LITIGATIONlegal matters I have a divorce order that provides me with regular access to my children. My spouse is refusing to let me see the children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am not infected, and I am not subject to a requirement to self-isolate or self-quarantine. Can my spouse do that? The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. Q A ASK THE PROFESSIONAL Todd C. Hein Partner Family/Divorce Lawyer Proud member of B2C Halton Hills OFFICE LOCATIONS GEORGETOWN 8 Guelph Street 905 452 7400 BRAMPTON OFFICE (Main) 350 Rutherford Road S., Suite 320 905 452 7400 CALEDON EAST 15955 Airport Road, Suite 201 905 584 4545 These are uncertain and unprecedented times. I and my firm wish for the health and safety of our community and all the people of the world. Despite the state of emergency imposed by the Province of Ontario, existing court orders must still be adhered to and respected. A parent might feel that he or she is protecting the children by keeping them from the other parent, but the other parent still has rights as defined in a court order. Law and order must continue. There is still a legal process that must be followed, and we are not to take the law into our own hands. The courts, including family courts, have been closed until further notice. However, the courts are still hearing urgent or emergency matters.A parent denied time with children may be able to proceed to court on an urgent basis to ensure his or her rights are preserved. Of course, exchange of children is to take place in a safe manner that ensures the children cannot come in contact with the COVID-19 virus, following the recommendations of experts and our governments, e.g. proper hand washing, hand sanitizer, social distancing from others, etc. We do a lot of family/divorce law. Our offices remain open to help clients as lawyers have been deemed an essential service. I am happy to provide you with a free ½ hour consultation. Be healthy and safe one and all. Empowering Clients. Enriching the Community. Dear Friends inWellington-HaltonHills: Together, we are confronting the COVID-19 public health emergency. It is unprecedented inmost of our lifetimes, but we are up to this challenge. We continue to stay at home asmuch as possible, and practice physical distancing whenwemust be out.While this has slowed the spread of the coronavirus, wemust not let up, we are saving lives whenwe stay home or stay clear. TheOntario Legislature has been called into session on three occasions since the crisis began. As yourMPP, I have been there each time as part of a smaller representation of members and staff. While the oppositionMPPs urge the Government to domore, there has been unanimous support for the Government's proposals as of today, and overall agreement tomove forward together. Where there has been rancour, there is now respect; where there has been controversy, there is now collaboration. The Province has committed to a substantial increase in the health care budget, support for small businesses, and relief for families and individuals with new announcements daily. Ourmunicipal, provincial and federal governments are also cooperating and using their areas of expertise to ensure we get through this challenge, together. For more information you can visit http://ontario.ca/coronavirus During this time, my staff and I are working remotely but as always, we are still available by phone or e-mail to help onmatters involving the Provincial Government. Until I see you again, keepwell, stay safe, and take care. TEDARNOTT,MPP Wellington-HaltonHills www.tedarnottmpp.com 1.800.265.2366 With Halton's coronavi- rus cases rapidly increas- ing, please visit theIFP.ca for daily updates. You can check out our summary at https:// www.theIFP.ca/news-sto- ry/9913708-here-is-a-sum- mary-of-coronavirus- cases-in-halton/ Our readers are also en- couraged to go to our web- site regularly for compre- hensive coverage on how the region -- and its indi- vidual municipalities -- are coping during the pan- demic. NEWS Shutterstock photo STAY UP TO DATE ON HALTON COVID-19 CASES Creating great smiles New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994.