Can I move to another city with my child?
John Hall
Updated on March 21, 2026
I want to relocate with my children to another city – do I need the other parent’s permission? Both of your children’s parents are their legal guardians, even when the parents separate or divorce. If you and the other parent can agree to the relocation, it’s a good idea to record this in a parenting plan.
How far can my ex wife move with my child?
There is no set geographical distance dictating exactly how far away you can move with your child, but but if that distance is deemed to significantly affect the other parent’s ability to have a meaningful relationship with the child, then the court will need to establish if the move is in the child’s best interests.
Can wife relocate away with my child?
Under California law, a parent must provide written notice of any plan to move away with the child for more than 30 days. The nonmoving parent can file an objection to the other parent’s proposed relocation and ask a court to modify custody as a result.
Can my ex husband stop me moving away?
They may have threatened to take legal action to stop you doing this. Would a Court stop you and what exactly are your rights? The short and simple answer is your Ex-Partner cannot stop you moving away. They recognise the Court does not have a right to control your actions just because you are a parent.
Can a father stop a mother from moving?
Stopping a custodial parent from moving away with your child usually requires invoking the court with appropriate jurisdiction over your case. You will likely need to file a motion arguing that the move constitutes a material change of circumstances and/or that the move away is not in the child’s best interests.
Can I move without telling my child’s father?
If you cannot find the other parent, you will need to go to court and ask the judge for permission to let you leave without the other parent’s permission. If there are limits on whether you can take your children outside of your country or state, you usually need a court order giving you special permission to travel.
Can my child’s father stop me moving away?
Brette’s Answer: He can’t stop you from moving but he could seek to modify the visitation based on the change in circumstances – because it would be a longer drive. It would be up to the judge to decide.
How far away can I move from my child’s father?
Unless both parents agree to the move and the terms of custody changes, a relocating parent must receive court approval to move with a child, whether within or outside California. Moving “away” is considered relocating a distance that will disrupt the current custodial arrangement, generally 50 miles or more.
How far can I move from my child’s father?
It’s true that if you share custody that you may be required to give notice of the move if you’re planning on moving farther than 20 miles, but Kessler says, “the best idea is to renegotiate before the move.” So if you’re looking to move farther than 20 miles, change schools, or will need to change visitation because …
Is it good for a family to move to a new city?
Otherwise, the compromises a family makes to live in a city leaves them short on benefits. (If nothing else, parents who work all day and tuck kids in to bed every night have no time or energy to enjoy the cultural benefits of a big, expensive city.)
Is it hard to move to a new place?
I know you are moving to a new place, but I believe our bonds will be as strong as ever. It’s so hard to say goodbye. May only good things happen in the new city. I hope you have a safe journey! Parting ways with a treasured relative such as you is difficult.
Can a parent move their child to another country?
Brette’s Answer: Puerto Rico is not another country; it is a commonwealth of the US. This is a relocation issue. If your custody order is silent on it, you can file for permission to move or you can wait for the other parent to file to try to stop you. If you move you deny the other parent visitation.
What happens when you move to a new place and fall in love?
Twenty-three percent split after the move, 18 percent said relocating failed to save their rocky relationship, 17 percent disliked their new location, and 11 percent even fell in love with someone else.