Change is never easy, however, change is inevitable and it is important that when change occurs that can affect not only your life, but your children lives and lives of other people, it is important to make the best decisions possible. In the case of child custody and relocation, this form of change is never easy, whether you are the person that is moving or the person that is staying. Taking a child away from his or her other parent can not only be overwhelming to the child, but to all parties involved. Though your head may be spinning at thinking of the consequences relocation may have on your children, as well as the costs that are associated with a child custody relocation case, it is invaluable that once you have decided to relocate, you understand your reasoning as to why and how to move forward with such actions. If you or a loved one is seeking information pertaining to child custody and relocation contact an experienced North Carolina child custody attorney to help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your situation.
Weighing the Pros and Cons and Moving Forward
When you have a child custody arrangement in place, it is first and foremost, important to understand you cannot move as you so choose without affecting the other parent, the children involved, and the current custody arrangements. Therefore, if you have decided to relocate to another area, whether miles away or states away, you will have to modify a child custody arrangement before moving to avoid detrimental consequences. For a judge to decide that children are best moved away from the other parent, you will need legitimate reasons to move before moving forward; otherwise, your modification will not be granted. Because of this, before relocating with children and child custody arrangements in place, it is important to ask yourself real and honest questions. These questions can consist of:
- What is the reason you want to move?
- Is this move important to you and if so, how important?
- What are the pros and cons of such move in relation to your children?
- Is this a permanent move or temporary move?
- Is there a way for your children to continue a meaningful relationship with the other parent that is being left behind?
In most cases, if you cannot honestly answer these questions and/or feel optimistic about the move, then the move is probably not in the best interest of your children and you should reevaluate the move. However, in the event, you are able to give yourself, real, honest answers and you feel optimistic about this move, then moving forward, you should contact an experienced attorney as relocation cases are indeed complicated and an attorney will give you the best legal advice possible for your situation and help you develop a plan on how to facilitate a meaningful relationship between your children and the other parent.
Need Legal Advice?
Though relocating with children and child custody arrangements in place can seem like a huge obstacle, it does not have to be and you do not have to go through the process alone, no matter what side you find yourself on. If the decisions that you and the other parent are making are for the best interest of the children and can keep a continuous custody schedule in place, then you’ve fought half of the battle already. However, for the second part of the battle, let us do the fighting for you. If you or a loved one is seeking information pertaining to child custody contact an experienced North Carolina child custody attorney at The Law Office of Dustin S. McCrary to help you strategize about the best possible outcomes for your situation. We are here to help! Contact our office today!