Shared physical custody, where both parents have overnight time with the children, requires relatively close residences. However, as life moves on after a divorce, parents start new relationships, look for affordable housing and pursue better jobs.
Their new opportunities may require that they relocate, possibly with the children. When one parent must move a substantial distance from the other, that change inevitably affects how the family manages parenting time.
How can a parent moving away from where their children live or preparing for the children to move with another parent maintain their connection with the children?
A custody modification can help
The current custody arrangements reflect the current housing arrangements of both parents. When either parent moves a significant distance from the other’s residence, the frequency of custody exchanges and the duration of parenting time for each parent may shift substantially.
In some cases, the parents are still close enough for one parent to have the children all weekend. Other times, the travel time between the homes is enough to make weekly custody exchanges prohibitive. In that scenario, parents may need to use vacations from school, including summer vacation, winter break and spring break, to augment one parent’s time with the children.
Integrating requirements for virtual visitation through video conferencing technology could also help parents maintain a strong connection with their children. Parents can potentially work together to establish new arrangements for sharing custody over a larger distance. They can pursue an uncontested modification to accommodate the relocation. If they can’t agree on the details of the new arrangement, then requesting a hearing in family court could help.
Reviewing the potential impact of the proposed move on a current custody schedule with a skilled legal team can help people plan effectively for an upcoming move with or away from their children.