What a Bellevue Divorce Lawyer Can Tell You about Relocation

Before you decide to move a child a significant distance away when that child resides with another parent under a valid court ordered parenting plan, consultation with a Bellevue divorce lawyer may not be a bad idea. Under Washington State family law, a custodial parent who relocates must first give notice to the non-custodial parent. If that parent objects to the relocation, a relocation action will ensue.

Relocation has become a controversial issue in Washington State family law. In this day and age of global economies and fluid career paths, moving away is a common occurrence. Bellevue divorce lawyers are called upon every day to help their clients in this area, either making moves or preventing them. While adult parents have a fundamental constitutional right to move, a child named in a parenting plan is still under the jurisdiction of the court, and the court can block that child from being moved under certain conditions. The factors the court considers are numerous and complicated, and can be explained by a competent Bellevue Divorce Lawyer.

Whether your Bellevue divorce lawyer will help you as the moving party or as the party trying to block a move, he or she will tell you that reaching an agreement with the other parent is usually the best outcome. Assuming that the court will allow the relocation (a big assumption) the parties will have to come to terms on the child’s travel costs to visit with the non-relocating parent, the adjustments made to the current parenting plan, and perhaps adjustments to child support. Relocation actions thus involve many areas of family law, and a Bellevue Divorce Lawyer can apprise you on all issues. McKinley Irvin, a full service Washington State family law and child custody firm, has been serving clients with relocation and other actions since 1991. Call us today and talk to a Bellevue Divorce Lawyer who knows this complicated area of the law before you make a move.

The author is a Bellevue Divorce Lawyer law student. Please visit McKinley Irvin for more information.