Legal Question in Family Law in New York

The father of your girlfriend's child does not have the right to keep her in the state, but he certainly has the right to contest her moving with the child out of state. If your girlfriend is willing to leave the child with his/her father, he can move anytime. However, if your girlfriend is unwilling to move without the child, she will need to petition the court for permission to relocate with the child and wait for the court to make a decision before she can relocate with the child.