Divorce is seldom easy, as any Connecticut parent who has gone through it can attest. Even after the court issues a final judgment, parents often wind up before a judge again when child custody issues related to relocation arise. As in all situations regarding child custody after divorce, the court has the final say, although parental opinion and various other factors are considered in the process.
In some states, a parent intending on relocating must inform the other parent in writing. There might also be requirements that necessitate including one’s reasons for wanting to move. This type of rule is meant to prevent someone from moving children away from a parent out of revenge or retaliation.
There are plenty of legitimate reasons for needing to relocate after child custody orders have already been issued. For instance, a parent might get a new job or enter into a new marriage and have need of taking up residence in another location. If the new location will bear significant impact on an existing child custody arrangement, a request for modification may be necessary. In Connecticut, the relocating parent has the burden of proving that the proposed relocation is legitimate, reasonable and in the best interests of the child.
In some situations, a Connecticut judge may prohibit a parent from relocating. Each case is decided on its own merits. Any parent with questions or concerns regarding a particular situation may seek answers through consultation with a family law attorney. An experienced attorney is also able to advocate on a parent’s behalf to protect his or her rights and see to it that a fair and agreeable outcome is achieved in any child custody matter.
Source: FindLaw, “Child Custody Relocation Laws”, Accessed on Feb. 15, 2017