Child custody orders can be modified for a variety of reasons. One of those is if a parent wants to relocate. Physical custody exchanges may work when the parents live close together, but a new schedule may be needed if they’re going to move farther apart.
That said, courts are sometimes wary of relocation requests because they want to ensure that one parent is not trying to intentionally infringe on the other person’s ability to see their children after a divorce. As such, they may ask for good faith reasons why the person is moving to show that it is in the child’s best interests.
Taking a new job
One example is accepting a job offer. Perhaps a parent is unemployed or has a low-paying job, but they get an offer that will significantly increase their standard of living—along with the child’s.
Returning to school
Another possible reason is if someone wants to go back to school or enroll in college or university. Relocation may be necessary if they can’t take classes online.
Seeking support from family members
Another thing to keep in mind is that it can sometimes be difficult for a single co-parent to raise their child after a divorce, when they expected to be supported by their spouse. As a result, they may want to move to a different location so that they can live closer to extended family members, such as grandparents who can also provide childcare when necessary.
Modifying the agreement
These are just a few potential reasons to modify a child custody arrangement. It’s important for parents to know exactly what legal steps to take so that they can have the modification officially carried out.