What Steps Do I Need to Take If I Want to Move or Relocate With My Child?

 

If you have a child subject to a custody order in Pennsylvania and are considering moving or relocating, you need to be aware of a child custody law that went into effect in January 2011. This law requires that you obtain court approval for your move.

The law provides for a mandatory notice that must be provided to the other parent and factors that the court must consider in deciding whether to approve the move or relocation.

1. Notice is required when relocating with a child.

The party seeking to move or relocate must provide notice to every person who has custody rights to the child by certified mail, return receipt requested. This notice must be given no later than 60 days before the date of the proposed move. However, notice given on the 10^th day after the day the party knows of the move is also acceptable in certain circumstances. In that situation, the party must show they did not know and could not reasonably have known of the relocation in sufficient time to comply with the 60 days notice, AND it is not reasonably possible to delay the date of relocation so as to comply with the 60 day notice.

The notice must also provide comprehensive information about the new residence. This includes the new address and phone number, name of the new school district and school, reasons for the proposed relocation, a proposal for a revised custody schedule, and a counter-affidavit. The counter-affidavit must include a warning to the non-relocating party that if he or she does not file an objection with the court within 30 days after receipt of notice, that party loses his or her right to object to the move. If the relocating part fails to notify the non-moving parent with proper notice, the court may draw a negative inference from this failure.

2. The court must consider factors in determining if relocation is permitted.

If the non-relocating party objects to the move, a hearing will be held to determine if the relocation is in the best interest of the child. The burden is on the party proposing the move to show the court that relocation is in the child’s best interest. However, each party has the burden of establishing the integrity of his or her motives for relocation or for prevention of the move. The court may also consider the following factors during a relocation hearing (among others):

• The nature, quality, extent of involvement and duration of the child’s relationships with each parent, siblings, and other significant people in the child’s life;
• The age, development, needs of the child and the impact relocation will have on the child’s physical, educational, and emotional development;
• The feasibility of maintaining the relationship between the child and non-moving parent;
• The child’s preference;
• Whether the move will enhance the quality of life for the parent and child (e.g., financial and/or educational opportunities); and
• Any other best interest factor.

Thus, if a parent is considering a move during the pendency of a child custody action, the new custody law provides the requirements and framework that must be followed. The family law attorneys at Cooley & Handy can help you navigate through this process.