There are a lot of things to consider when getting a divorce. Throw kids into the mix and you might just have a contentious situation that is much more difficult to work out. That’s because, when it comes to children and a divorce, parents must consider who will get custody and who will pay child support as well. These discussions can often lead to further disputes and when coupled with talks of moving, a situation can become that much more problematic for everyone involved.
This may not even be something that some of our readers have ever considered, especially when it comes to their own divorce. But unfortunately, these situations occur all too often to families across the country, including here in Texas as well. When discussing possible child custody arrangements with your attorney, relocation laws often enter the conversation in situations where one of the parents needs to move to another city, county or even state for a particular reason. But while a move may be necessary for a parent, there are some important things that could change the outcome of an arrangement in the end.
First of all, the court will consider whether child custody relocation is in the best interest of the child. This can often coincide with concerns from the other parent who might fear that a move far away could jeopardize the amount of time they spend with their children. While parents can sometimes come to an agreement about travelling and spending time between each residence, this might not be the case for others and may need the help of a family law judge in the end.
Another thing to consider, especially if one parent is moving to another state, is the specific laws governing child custody in that particular geographical location. Some states differ on their definitions for custody or have specific guidelines governing visitation schedules for significant distances, which can create issues for parents down the road. Speaking with a skilled attorney during arrangements can help avoid these potential issues.
While there are potentially dozens of other things to think about when making custody arrangements, considering relocation before it becomes an issue is always a good idea because in the end, it could create more problems for both parents.
Source: FindLaw.com, “Child Custody Relocation Laws”
