My Ex Spouse is Moving. How Does This Change Custody Rights?

Being a divorced parent can be difficult. You can’t control what happens at your ex-spouse’s home when the kids visit him or her. The situation becomes even more challenging when your ex-spouse announces he or she is moving.

Your ex-spouse’s move can change your current custody arrangement. Read on to learn more about what this means for you and your children.

Handling the Move

One parent’s move raises many questions. If the parent who’s moving doesn’t have custody of the children, how will he or she communicate with them? If the custodial parent is moving, when will the children see the non-custodial parent?

When the parent who’s moving makes this announcement, it’s time for the ex-spouses to sit down and have a calm, frank and thorough discussion. The two of you need to talk about how this move will affect the children.

Although you are no longer married, you will always be parents together. As parents, you need to determine what’s best for your children.

Creating a Plan

The ex-spouses need to create a plan that makes the best interests of the children the top priority. This means that the parents establish a schedule for when the non-custodial parent will visit the children. At this time, the ex-spouses should discuss who will be paying for the trips if the children are doing the traveling, and who will supervise them on the plane or train.

There also needs to be a communication plan in place. If the parent moving away isn’t the custodial parent, he or she will want to stay in touch with the children. The parents and the children must figure out how communication should take place. It is up to the custodial parent to enable that communication.

Getting Legal Advice

Sometimes, there is a great deal of conflict between ex-spouses. They might not be able to sit in a room together to discuss a matter in a calm and rational way. If that’s the case, it might be necessary to get lawyers involved.

Let’s say you’re the non-custodial parent, and your ex-spouse is the one who’s moving… with the children. You and your ex-spouse underwent an acrimonious divorce, so you don’t believe that either of you will be able to hold a discussion without screaming at each other. Consult your lawyer to determine what your custodial rights are in this situation and how you and your former spouse can come to an agreement that puts the best interests of your children first.

Fine & Associates: Your Family and Divorce Law Experts

Are you going through a divorce and have questions about custodial issues? Contact Fine & Associates at 647-496-6057 today. Our team of legal professionals will be with you every step of the way and answer any questions you might have about the process of divorce and your legal rights to custody.

We treat you with the respect, courtesy and professionalism you deserve. Divorce doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful – just call Fine & Associates.