Relocation Issues: Parenting Responsibilities and Child Support
In our increasingly mobile society, many parents who do not live together find themselves in circumstances where they need to move out of the area (either within Colorado or out of state). A job transfer, a new job, a new spouse, family obligations, or a better economic potential are just some of the reasons why a parent may need or wish to relocate. Even if the parent believes that the relocation is in the best interests of the child, he or she may still have to answer difficult questions like: Which parent will the child continue to live with? How would a move affect the time the children can spend with the other parent? When will the child visit the other parent? What will the visitation travel expenses be and who will pay those expenses? How will the relocation impact the other parent's relationship with the child?
Whether you are the parent who wants to relocate with the child, or the parent who has been told that the child is going to be relocated, when relocation affects the allocation of parental responsibilities, your right to make parenting decisions, your right to spend time with your children and be involved in their activities, or your obligation to pay child support, you need an experienced family law attorney.
The parent wanting to relocate must either have the consent of the non-moving parent, or permission of the Court, to move away from the original geographic location, and potentially severe sanctions can be imposed if a parent relocates the child without having first obtained this consent or court permission. Even if a parent has obtained the permission of the non-moving parent, paperwork needs to be filed with and approved by the Court. With or without permission, probably need legal counsel to make any significant move. Contact Peterson & Lyons, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, to discuss your situation.
If you are a parent considering a move or you have a child whose other parent is considering a move, contact a child custody lawyer at Peterson & Lyons, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, to discuss these and other relocation issues.
Best Interests of the Child: Modification of Parental Responsibilities
When the situation changes, and there is a need to modify parenting time, or decision making, changes will be made by the Court ONLY upon agreement of the parties or after a hearing by the Court. The Court, in order to make such changes, will need to find that it is in the best interests of the children and, in some circumstances, that the children are at risk in the current arrangement. The process to achieve this is complicated, and can be significant, adverse consequences for not doing this correctly. At Peterson & Lyons, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we have helped hundreds of clients make these changes, and we can help you.
Peterson & Lyons, Attorneys at
Law, PLLC
100 North Mason Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Phone: (970) 484-6464 | Email
Fax: (970) 232-1562
www.petersonlyons.com | Major Credit Cards Accepted Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours by appointment only |
Peterson & Lyons, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, has been providing results-oriented family law representation to clients throughout the Larimer County and Weld County regions, including the cities of Fort Collins, Wellington, Greeley, Loveland, and Windsor, CO, and the campuses of CSU and UNC.
