A child custody attorney can help you pursue a fair custody arrangement between you and your former spouse. Even though these arrangements are typically permanent, a problem can arise if one parent needs to move away from the area. Having to move out of state for a job, or to care for an elderly parent, are just a few of the situations in which custody arrangements can be affected. Below, learn how a move can impact your custody agreement and how a lawyer can help. 

How Does Connecticut Restrict Post-Divorce Relocation?

When it becomes known that one parent intends to relocate out of state, they are obligated by Connecticut state law to notify the other parent. At that point, the parent remaining in the state can file an objection in family court, which would compel the court to hold a hearing to review the custody terms. While the family court judge can’t keep the parent from moving out of state, they can revisit the custody terms and try to act in the best interests of the child. That may mean issuing a new custody arrangement and prohibiting the relocating parent from taking the child with them.

How are Relocation Disputes Resolved Between Ex-Spouses? 

In general, your child custody attorney can help ensure that the revised terms still allow for shared custody. This may mean creating a schedule that allows the child to spend part of the year with each parent, while vacations are alternated between the parents. The schedule may also rotate to ensure one parent doesn’t have custody for the same holidays and vacations every year.

Additionally, your lawyer can help ensure that legal custody is shared. Legal custody refers to the authority a parent has to make decisions regarding the child’s education, religious instruction, medical care, and other similar childcare considerations. Since the parents will be living far apart, this will require a greater degree of communication to ensure both parties are involved in important decisions.

Another dispute that arises in this type of situation has to do with child support payments and paying for the child’s transportation. Travel expenses that are incurred as a result of sharing custody with an out of state parent can become significant. For this reason, your attorney may seek to have child support payments modified. If the out of state parent is the one receiving support, the cost of transporting the child to the other parent may be deducted from support payments. Conversely, if the out of state parent is responsible for paying the support, they may also have to pay for the child’s travel expenses. 

If you’re thinking of relocating after a divorce, it is important to discuss your relocation plans with a child custody attorney. The Law Office of Gregory G. St. John, LLC. has over 40 years of experience in practicing family law in Waterbury, CT. You can rely on their expertise and knowledge of the law to help you deal with a divorce and child custody situation. To learn more about their services, visit their website. Call (203) 759-0240 to schedule an initial consultation.