Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania
I want to move.
My question is can I take my child and move from PA to FL. My child is three and has always lived with me and his fathers name is not on the birth certificate. The father did live with us for a couple months and then picked up and left. There was never any custody battle and there is no child support ordered, although sometimes he willingly gives money. He does not want me to move my son away. I was wondering if I am legally allowed to move and also if I have to get anything saying I have legal custody of my child. Thank you for your time.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: I want to move.
The bad news he can take you to court and stop you or even worse haul you back to Pennsylvania to have a hearing on if the move was in the best interests of the child. The court uses what are known as the Gruber factors to see if the move is in the best interest of the child.
If you have no custody order in place it would be good to have one in place whether you move or not.
The real question is whether the court would not let the child move. Without knowing a lot more than what you have said how a court might rule.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me, the initial consultation is free.
{John}