Moving after a divorce can become more complicated when you and your ex share custody of your child. The court will already have issued an order outlining your custody agreement, which likely includes details such as when custody exchanges occur, who makes decisions on the child’s behalf and the like.
Relocating often means modifying this agreement. For instance, if you currently exchange custody every two or three days, the arrangement works well if you live in the same city, relatively close to one another. You may simply alternate who picks the child up from school.
However, if you move to a city five hours away, such frequent exchanges may no longer be feasible. A new custody arrangement will likely need to be established to accommodate the distance.
Do you need to prove the move is necessary?
The court may require you to justify your move. They will want to ensure you’re not relocating solely to make it difficult for your ex to see the child. If the current custody order aims to provide equal access to both parents, the court will want to see a valid reason why the move is in the child’s best interests.
For example, you might be moving to a city where your extended family lives, allowing them to play an active role in supporting and raising the child. Or you may have received a job offer in a new location that pays significantly more, improving the child’s financial stability and overall living situation.
The key is demonstrating that the move serves a legitimate purpose and benefits the child’s well-being. It’s important to understand the legal steps involved in modifying your custody agreement to ensure compliance with the court order.