Legal Question in Family Law in New York
Joint Custody - Primary custody wants to move
I'm the primary custody parent and I'm looking to relocate to another state about 4 hours away from NY. Father will still live in NY and I need to know if I have the right to move for a better way of life for my children. Father sees kids ONLY every other weekend. Nothing outside this setting and lives ONLY about 4 blocks away from children at this time. Wants to fight me in trying to make me stay in the area, but my situation has changed and a better life for my kids will be at another state.
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Joint Custody - Primary custody wants to move
The circumstances of your move determines whether a court will approve along with the best interest of the child
you can call me at 516 410 4001 to discuss
Re: Joint Custody - Primary custody wants to move
The courts tend to believe that "the better life" for children of a marriage is to have "equal" access to BOTH parents, notwithstanding whether the non custodial parent fully takes advantage of the access provided.
The factors to be considered include but are not limited to the following:
The reason for the move.
The age of the children and their particular and individual needs and desires.
Child support issues and access and visitation costs and arrangements in the event you move.
Whether children's best interest is to remain with father in environment, school etc., that they have come to know.
In sum, you need to show how "the move" benefits the children more than the interruption of their relationship with their father may harm them.
GOOD LUCK,
PHROSKA L. McALISTERL, ESQ
Re: Joint Custody - Primary custody wants to move
You will have to show that the move is in the best interests of the child. The benefit from the move would have to outweigh the loss of contact with the father.
Daniel Clement