PARENTAL RELOCATION

It is common for a parent to want (or need) to move for personal or business reasons. If that person has primary custody of a child and wants to move away from the other parent, that can be a problem.

Most Texas orders concerning children require that the child's residence be in the county of the other parent or an adjoining county. Texas public policy is that both parents have an opportunity or be involved in the child's life.

If the primary parent wants to move, it usually takes a modification of the court order to remove the restriction as to residence. Generally, most courts will not allow that. If the other parent has been a factor in the child's life, then the court will want that to continue.

While difficult, it is not impossible to remove the residence restriction. A good case with good evidence will be needed. It is rarely sufficient for someone to show that they are moving to get a better job or because they have remarried. Obviously, if the other parent has not been active in the child's life, the job will be easier. These cases are tough and complex. You need an equally tough attorney on your side.

The family law attorneys at the Bob Leonard Law Group can help you evaluate your case and, if you decide to go forward, help you to put on the best case possible. Relocation cases are frequently the most hotly contested cases that we do and there is no room for error.