614-241-2174Former spouses often set out to make a fresh start in the aftermath of their divorce. For many, starting over may mean relocating to another city or outside of the state. Doing this isn’t always a feasible option if you two have kids, though.
Out-of-the-area relocations have become increasingly popular for custodial parents. Research conducted by Mind Publications in 2004 captured how as many as 25% of parents who have primary or sole custody of their children relocate to another area post-divorce.
Parents may relocate for financial opportunities, such as a new job, to cut their living costs or to be surrounded by a network of family support.
It’s unclear what impact relocation from a current area to a new one has on a child. Courts always look at what’s in the best interest of your son or daughter, though.
Many factors may determine what type of impact relocation has on your child. Your child’s age is important. So too is whether they have a close network of friends at school, family members in the area and how close they are to the parent that they’re leaving behind.
Laws vary by jurisdictions. In some instances, a custodial parent may have to file a petition with the court asking for permission to move out of the area. Alternately, the custodial parent may have to give the noncustodial one notice of their intention to relocate. It’s in situations such as the latter that the noncustodial parent may be able to file an objection with the court. Lengthy litigation could result from a parent doing this.
If you’re planning on moving out of the state, then it might not be as simple as you think to do so. There’s no guarantee that an Ohio family law judge will permit you to move. The other parent might not be so willing to oblige either. An attorney that has extensive experience in helping broker agreements in some of the most contentious situations can help you negotiate the outcome that you’re seeking in your Columbus child custody matter.