North Carolina Motion To Relocate After Divorce
Many families are brought to North Carolina in connection to the career or employment opportunity of one or both spouses. When the marriage falls apart, it is reasonable for one party to want to return home, close to family support units. Unfortunately, when there are children involved, such relocation can significantly jeopardize the parent-child relationship — and is rarely approved by the court.
At the Breeden Law Office, in Garner, North Carolina, we have extensive experience helping families resolve delicate child custody and custody modification disputes, including disputes involving a parent's desire to relocate with a child a significant distance from the child's other parent. Representing clients in communities surrounding Garner, Lillington and Smithfield, the divorce and relocation attorneys at our firm are equipped to serve the needs of clients in pursuing or contesting parent/child relocation (move-away cases). Contact us to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your unique situation with an experienced lawyer.
It is important to understand that if you have primary custody and wish to relocate with your child, there are strict rules that must be adhered to prior to any move. If you move without first obtaining the consent of the other parent or the approval of the court, you may be held in violation of the child custody/visitation order, and will likely be required to return to North Carolina.
Is Relocating In The Best Interests Of The Child?
Absent an agreement between the parents, relocation matters will be decided by the court. In North Carolina, all child custody-related matters — including matters of relocation — are decided solely based upon the best interests of the children involved. The court will examine issues such as:
- Has stable housing been established in the proposed new location?
- Has the parent obtained suitable employment in the new location?
- What support systems will be available to the children in the new location compared to the current support systems available to the children?
- How do the education opportunities compare to those currently available to the child?
- How active a parenting role has the non-relocating parent played until this point?
- How would the relocation affect the relationship between the non-moving parent and the child?
- Could a suitable modified parenting arrangement be established?
At the Breeden Law Office, we understand how important your children are to you. We comprehend how important every minute you spend with them can be — especially when that time is cut short as a result of your child custody and visitation arrangement. We also recognize how important it can be to ensure that you are providing every opportunity available to your children. Our attorneys work with you to devise a workable solution that is in the best interests of your children and that preserves your rights as a parent.
Contact Our Experienced Child Custody Lawyers: 866-346-1680
If you have questions regarding your request to relocate with your child, or if the child's other parent has proposed a move that you are not comfortable with, talk with a caring, knowledgeable child custody attorney at our North Carolina law firm. Call the Breeden Law Office at 866-346-1680 or send an e-mail. We serve clients in Garner, Clayton, Angier, Willow Spring and other communities in Harnett County, Johnston County and Wake County.
