This is the first post in a series of articles discussing child relocation requests when a parent is forced to move outside of the area to accept new employment. Changes in the economy, layoffs, or seasonal shifts in demand for labor can create an urgent need for residents to seek new employment opportunities. In some cases, those opportunities are outside of the state. For Illinois parents who share custody of a child governed by a custody agreement, relocating outside of Illinois with a child will require the permission of the court. Given the impact these requests can have on a family and the parent-child relationship, relocation requests are often contentious. The goal of this series is to provide an overview of this process in the context of employment-related relocation requests. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak with a fathers’ rights attorney.
This series will address the following issues:
- Requesting permission to relocate out of state when new employment starts immediately
- Preparing a relocation plan when the request is due to immediate re-employment
- Defending against a request to move the child out of state
- Requesting permission to move based on non-immediate employment reasons
Unfortunately, there are times when employment decisions must be made quickly and require tough decisions by parents. Regardless of whether you are seeking to relocate or defending against your co-parent’s attempt to move with the child, it is important to understand these issues. First, understanding what may be important to a judge when the request relates to immediate employment opportunities will help the requesting party prepare their case. Second, the court will review the requesting parent’s relocation plan. The more developed the plan, the better the chances of success. It is important to consider how best to prepare when the need to move is urgent for employment reasons. Third, it is entirely possible to defend against a co-parent’s request for relocation. Engaging a knowledgeable custody attorney can help a father effectively challenge a relocation request. Finally, if a request is based on pursuing a job opportunity, but the need is not immediate, the parent’s relocation plan and court filings may be different. It is important to consider how this may impact the judge’s review of the request.
My firm understands when unemployment and layoffs impact Peoria, Illinois families. I have experience in a variety of child custody issues, including relocation requests. If you need assistance, contact my office to speak to schedule a consultation with a fathers’ rights attorney. In addition to Peoria, I serve clients in the cities of Bloomington, Eureka, Galesburg, Morton, Normal, Pekin, Springfield, and Washington. I also serve the counties of Fulton, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford.