Sharing custody means making many personal compromises. Parents have to alternate or share holidays and birthdays with their children. They have to agree on major decisions regarding their children.
Parents also have restrictions imposed on their daily lives when they are subject to a shared custody order. A parent hoping to make major adjustments after a divorce or breakup may decide that moving or relocating could help them rebuild.
There are often many important considerations to contemplate before committing to a relocation in a shared custody scenario.
1. The distance of the move
Minor relocations are unlikely to trigger major conflicts. More significant moves, on the other hand, can complicate shared custody arrangements. Under Indiana state statutes, the parent planning to move typically has to provide notice to the other parent and also the courts if the relocation increases the distance between parental households by 20 miles or more.
2. The cost of transportation
When relocations are still within the state, the parents may continue to regularly exchange custody. The increased travel time between the two households can increase gas costs, as well as wear and tear on parental vehicles. The parent proposing the move may have to absorb those expenses in many cases.
3. The perspective of the other parent
The more hostile things have become between the parents, the greater the chances of the other parent opposing the relocation request. They may feel like it is an attempt to separate them from their children. The parent hoping to move may need to discuss the matter with their co-parent to explain the reasoning behind the relocation and obtain their support.
4. The challenges for the children
Any relocation is likely to cause stress for the children in the family. Adjusting to a new living space can be difficult. Changing the household schedule based on new living arrangements can also be a difficult adjustment.
Particularly once children reach middle school or beyond, the move could cut them off from their social connections, which could be a traumatizing experience. Parents need to consider the potential negative impacts of the move and take steps to limit the harm their children experience.
5. The benefits for the children
Especially in scenarios where parents may need to go to court to seek a contested custody modification because they cannot agree on the move with the other parent, they need to identify how the move could benefit the children. Judges resolving contested custody disputes prioritize the best interests of the children. The more benefits a parent can identify, the easier it may be to convince the courts to approve a relocation request.
Learning more about the law and reviewing a custody order can help parents as they prepare to negotiate a child custody modification. Relocations can drastically change parenting arrangements and therefore require careful consideration.
