Divorce is rarely simple. If you and your spouse decide to end your marriage, there is a lengthy legal process to go through before your divorce is official. If you have a child (or children) with your spouse, it becomes even more complex.
One of the most challenging divorce-related situations is a move-away case – a type of situation in which one parent with sole or joined custody of your children decides to move to a new city, state or country.
Move-away cases can be legally nuanced and complicated, and it’s important to seek the advice of your move-away lawyer if you find yourself involved in one. In this post, we will share five things you need to know about move-away parenting cases.
They can be legally complicated
There are many variables involved in a move-away parent case: your child custody arrangements, the location that your former spouse is moving to and the nature of their movement.
Because of the complexities often involved in a move-away parent case, it’s vital to seek qualified legal advice. Speak to your lawyer as soon as this situation arises for advice on your rights, responsibilities and child custody arrangement options.
They often require cooperation
Moving across the country is difficult, especially when children are involved. Even if you have good relations with your ex spouse, managing a family from two different locations that are hundreds of miles apart can be immensely challenging.
Because of this, raising a family from multiple locations can require immense levels of cooperation. Move-away parent cases are often opportunities to cooperate with your ex spouse and find ways to work together to improve your family life.
They can affect custody arrangements
Most of the time, a parent with sole custody of your children can move to a new city or state without affecting your existing custody arrangements. Your abilities to stop the move are limited, unless it affects the child’s safety or wellbeing.
However, if you have joint physical custody, a move-away situation could affect your custody arrangements. Speak to your lawyer to learn more about how your custody arrangements could be affected if your ex spouse moves to a new location.
You could have control over them
Although your options are limited when your ex spouse has sole physical custody of your children, you still have some control over their movement. Custody orders are not always permanent, and a lawyer may be able to assist in understanding yours.
If you believe that moving to a new location could harm your children, you may be able to prevent your former spouse from moving. Again, your family lawyer can give advice and assistance on the best course of action in a move-away parent situation.
They can seriously affect your children
Moving to another state can be difficult for an adult; it can be even more difficult for a young child. Because of this, one of the biggest concerns of many parents in a move away parent situation is the well-being of their children in their new home.
If you believe that moving to a new city, state or country could affect your children’s happiness, well-being or safety, speak up. Contact a move-away lawyer and tell them you are concerned; their advice could help you prevent harm to your children’s future.
