As a co-parent, if you want to relocate after your divorce, you may have to ask for a modification of your child custody arrangement. After all, the court will consider your current living situation when determining how custody should be divided. If you and your former spouse live close to one another, it may be easy enough to exchange the children on a set custody schedule. But if you move a significant distance, it can make this previous custody schedule impossible.
When courts consider modifications, the main thing they’re looking for is a custody arrangement that is in the child’s best interest. So how do you show that moving would actually be beneficial for your child?
Good faith reasons to move
Essentially, the court just wants an honest reason why you are looking to move and how you think it could benefit your child. Examples include:
- Taking a job that you have been offered so that you can provide for your child’s well-being.
- Moving so that you can return to college and further your education, which may help your employment prospects in the future.
- Moving to a location that has a lower cost of living, enabling you to more easily financially support your child.
- Moving closer to extended family members, so that your child can have a relationship with them and so that they can help raise the child after your divorce.
These are just a few examples, and every situation is unique. But the most important thing is to get the modification before moving, so be sure you know what legal steps to take.
