CHILD CUSTODY LAWYER

In a divorce, family structure changes dramatically, and sometimes that means geographically. While spouses are no longer obligated to live near each other or share the same social group, children of divorce are caught in the crosshairs. As I have discussed, Colorado child custody laws seek to provide maximum parenting time to both parents. There is no substitute for quality time with both parents for a child and Colorado recognizes this. However, one thing that serves to complicate things is when two parents of a child do not live near each other. Whether married, separated, divorced, or never having lived together, a parent cannot just move away from the other with the child(ren) without legal permission.

At the Law Offices of Kelli J. Malcolm, I honor the freedom of parents to move freely and understand the difficulty of disrupting family living situations. I can help guide you and your family through the process of child relocation in the Colorado family court system.

Divided Home: Child Relocation Issues

There are many reasons why a parent may want to move away from there current location in the Denver metro area — return home after a divorce, job opportunity, remarriage — and even more reasons that the other may want to stay. Either way, the child(ren) caught in the middle are now faced with possible relocation or lacking parenting time from one of the parents. When child custody cases involve the relocation of one parent, there are a number of things that the family court system evaluates when determining parenting time and the ability to relocate children.

• Current parenting time schedules,
• The best interest of the child,
• The relationship between parent and child,
• Adjustment to home, school, and community,
• The physical proximity of parents,
• Family violence,
• The ability to place the child’s best interest above the parents’ own,
• The reason for relocation, and
• The anticipated impact of the move on the child.

The current family circumstances will affect whether or not legal permission will be granted.

Relocation While Divorce Is Pending

If a divorce and child custody is still being negotiated, it is not likely that legal permission will be granted regarding the permanent relocation of a child. Additionally, it is a violation of Colorado family law for either parent to remove a child from Colorado, even temporarily, while divorce and child custody is pending without expressed permission from either the other parent or the family court system.

Relocation During Initial Parental Responsibilities Filing

If a parent plans to relocate once a divorce is final and this is listed as part of the initial parental responsibilities filing, the proposed parenting time and physical custody plan must include the intended location and allow for parenting time for both parties. Parenting time is often structured around the child’s school situation and may severely limit one parent’s time, which will carefully be considered.

Post-Divorce Relocation

If divorce and child custody arrangements also known as parental responsibilities are finalized, this is no guarantee that life and circumstances for both parents may not change over time. In the event that one parent wants to relocate after final determination, relocation hearings will be had to determine the same things discussed above, weighing heavily the reason for the move and the impact it will have on the child and the relationship with the other parent. Just because primary physical custody was awarded to one parent in the initial agreement, does not mean that the courts will not deny relocation. Along with any request to relocate, the relocating parent must provide written notice of the intent to relocate along with the reason for relocation, and a proposed revision to the existing parenting plan.

At the Law Offices of Kelli J. Malcolm, I defend the families and children of Arapahoe and Douglas counties. If you are a parent facing relocation issues, contact me to get the experienced legal counsel you and your children deserve.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Child Custody