Parental Relocation In Everett And Snohomish County
Most divorce decrees lay out the details surrounding child support and custody with precision and clarity, but what happens when one of the parents needs to relocate out of state or even a long distance away within the state? And what happens to the child custody arrangement if the relocating parent wants to take the child? These are tough, emotionally challenging questions, requiring the representation of a skilled and experienced family law attorney.
Our team at Akiona Law, PLLC, are comfortable representing either party in a relocation/child custody determination. At our firm, we focus on alternative dispute resolution methods in contentious cases like these. Our attorneys are well-versed in negotiation, mediation and collaborative divorce. Often, these methods are preferable to taking the matter to court, and when parents can agree on a solution, everyone benefits.
Protecting Your Interests When Parenting Plan Modifications Are Called For
Whether you are the parent who needs to relocate or the other parent who is objecting to the relocation, we can skillfully defend your interests while determining the best child support and child custody outcome, which could include:
Out-of-state parenting plans: An out-of-state or long-distance parenting plan may be worked out where you see your children for longer periods of time over their vacation or break schedules because you don’t get to see them as often.
Updated child support: If you are the non-relocating party and you are paying 100 percent of the travel expenses, a reduction in your child support may be appropriate because of that expense.
Child not moving with the relocating parent: For various reasons, the child might end up not moving with the relocating parent. While the presumption is that the child’s relocation will be allowed, that presumption may be rebutted by showing that the detrimental effect of the relocation outweighs the benefit of the change to the child and the relocating person. The presumption in favor of the child’s relocation may be rebutted based upon 11 statutory factors.
There are many possible outcomes in child support and child custody modifications due to relocation. We will defend your interests throughout the process and give you the counsel you need to make intelligent decisions for you and your child.
Relocation Of A Child/Modification Process
Relocation is one of the most common reasons for modifying a parenting plan, because in most cases, the relocation puts the relocating parent too far away from the nonresidential parent to maintain the original parenting plan. If the relocating parent wants to take the child along, the process generally starts with the filing of a Notice of Intended Relocation of Children. If the other party does not object, it is a simple matter of filing the appropriate forms of agreement and the court validates the arrangement.
More often, the other party will object, which leads to a court hearing or trial to determine the issues. Mediation is required in most family law cases. If your case needs to go to court, we will tell you upfront. This is especially true when the relocating parent is forced to move for a career move or other compelling reason.
Parenting Plan Modifications Can Be Resolved Out Of Court
We can help you understand your rights and options when it comes to relocation and child custody or child support modifications. Call 425-740-2209 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a team of Washington family law lawyers in Everett, Seattle and King County.