Relocation

Relocating with Children After a Georgia Divorce

In today’s fast-paced society, people move or relocate all the time for a variety of reasons. Maybe you’ve accepted a job in a new city, or perhaps you want to move closer to family. For most people, these moves may be stressful, but they aren’t a hassle beyond the physical labor of moving.

For divorced or separated parents in Georgia, relocating with children comes with a whole new set of considerations. Your decision to move may conflict with child custody or visitation, and in some scenarios, the court may stop you from moving at all.

Relocation: Items for Divorced or Separated Parents to Consider

All states have slightly different laws when it comes to relocating with children after a divorce or a separation. Georgia’s Relocation Statute dictates that:

Children aged 14 years or older have the right to choose the parent with whom he or she wishes to live in the case of relocation.
If the parent who chooses to relocate is the custodial parent, he or she must give all those granted visitation rights at least 30 days notice.
In cases of children of at least 11 years of age (but not yet 14 years), the court will take the educational needs of the child into consideration before making a custodial decision.
In all cases, the primary safety and well being of a minor child will be the deciding factor in questions of relocation.

Whether or not you are the custodial parent, you must have court approval before you relocate the child if there are any restrictions in the divorce papers or the state laws. Parents who relocate their children without following the proper steps can be held in contempt of court.

Contact an Atlanta Child Custody Lawyer Today

Are you considering relocating with your child after a divorce? Whatever the reason, it is important to have an experienced family law attorney in your corner, especially in matters of child custody and visitation rights.

To schedule a consultation with one of the attorneys of the law firm of Bivek Brubaker & Prescott, LLC, call us at 866-527-2630, or fill out our online contact form.