This is the last post in a series of articles discussing the rights of Peoria, Illinois fathers in cases involving a request to relocate their child outside of Illinois. Given the potentially drastic impact a child’s relocation can have on the parent/child relationship, relocation requests are among the most highly contested custody issues. Illinois fathers who desire to move with their child or attempt to oppose a co-parent’s relocation request should know how the court system generally approaches this issue. Regardless of which side of the case a father is on, it is important to understand the legal process and how to prepare oneself for a relocation dispute. It has been my goal in this series to provide a basic overview of these points and to encourage Illinois fathers to retain an experienced custody attorney to represent your interests in a relocation matter. If you need assistance, contact my office today to speak with a lawyer.
The following key subjects have been addressed in this series of articles:
- When an Illinois court will allow relocation outside of the state
- The requesting parent’s need for a relocation plan
- Filing an initial request for relocation outside of Illinois
- The role of discovery in a relocation custody case
- What to expect at a trial in a relocation custody matter
- How to conduct oneself after the trial has concluded
- Defending against a request to move a child outside of the state
An Illinois father dealing with a relocation matter should be aware of these issues for a variety of reasons. First, Illinois judges consider certain factors when reviewing a relocation request. Understanding what is important to a judge will help the party prepare his case with emphasis on the points the court will find persuasive. Second, preparation is an essential element in any case discussing a possible move with a child. The more developed one’s plan, the better the chances of success. Third, like any other legal matter, there are specific procedural requirements to be followed when seeking or opposing the relocation of a child. Failure to comply can negatively impact a parent’s case. Fourth, the parties will be required to present evidence to the judge in support of their respective positions. Using the discovery process, attorneys for both parties can gather essential pieces of evidence to be used in the case. Fifth, the trial process can be overwhelming. All parties can benefit from an overview of the trial process in advance to help manage expectations. Next, courts will strictly enforce conditions set forth in orders permitting relocation. It is important to comply with a final court order after it has been issued. Finally, it is entirely possible to defend against a co-parent’s request for relocation. Engaging a knowledgeable custody attorney can help fathers prepare an effective defense.
I am a Peoria fathers’ rights attorney who assists with family law matters, including divorce, support and child custody disputes. If you need assistance with a relocation request, contact my office today to schedule an initial consultation. 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.