Source: https://memphisdivorce.com/36-6-108-tennessee-parent-relocation-statute/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 15:04:11+00:00

Document:
Do to a new law passed in 2018, Tennessee’s parent relocation statute and law changed dramatically for all new parent relocation matters filed after July 1, 2018. See discussion of the new law here. This means that much of the prior case law discussing move away cases, especially involving parents who did not share roughly equal parenting time, is no longer valid or relevant. However, the author believes that many of the prior cases discussing relocation action disputes involving parents who do share roughly equal parenting time and important aspects of the statute which have not been changed by the new law, can still be relied upon for important legal arguments. Parent relocation law will continue to evolve over time. It may take years to understand the impact of this change on Tennesseans. Plus, expect the Supreme Court of Tennessee to add interpretation to this new development. As such, the author has chosen to discontinue sales of his book on Amazon, Tennessee Parent Relocation Law, published in 2013. Updates and case law summaries are found on MemphisDivorce.com’s Tennessee Family Law Blog: Parent Relocation Law – General, Parent Relocation Granted, and Parent Relocation Denied.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 36-6-108. Parental relocation.
(4) Statement that absent agreement between the parents or an objection by the non-relocating parent within thirty (30) days of the date notice is sent by registered or certified mail in accordance with subsection (a), the relocating parent will be permitted to do so by law.
(b) Absent agreement by the parents on a new visitation schedule within thirty (30) days of the notice or upon a timely objection in response to the notice, the relocating parent shall file a petition seeking approval of the relocation. The non-relocating parent has thirty (30) days to file a response in opposition to the petition. In the event no response in opposition is filed within thirty (30) days, the parent proposing to relocate with the child shall be permitted to do so.
(c) (1) If a petition in opposition to relocation is filed, the court shall determine whether relocation is in the best interest of the minor child.
(H) Any other factor affecting the best interest of the child, including those enumerated in § 36-6-106(a).
(3) If, upon consideration of factors in subdivision (c)(2), the court finds that relocation is in the best interest of the minor child, the court shall modify the permanent parenting plan as needed to account for the distance between the non-relocating parent and the relocating parent.
(4) If the court finds that relocation is not in the best interest of the minor child, the court shall deny the petition for approval and, utilizing the factors provided in § 36-6-106(a), enter a modified permanent parenting plan that shall become effective only if the parent proposing to relocate elects to do so despite the court’s decision denying the parent’s petition for approval.
(d) In fashioning a modified parenting plan under subdivisions (c)(3) and (4), the court shall consider and utilize available alternative arrangements to foster and continue the child’s relationship with and access to the other parent. The court shall also assess the costs of transporting the child for visitation, and determine whether a deviation from the child support guidelines should be considered in light of all factors, including, but not limited to, additional costs incurred for transporting the child for visitation.
(e) Nothing in this section shall prohibit either parent from petitioning the court at any time to address issues other than a change of custody related to the move, including, but not limited to, visitation.
(f) Either parent in a parental relocation matter may recover reasonable attorney fees and other litigation expenses from the other parent in the discretion of the court.
(g) The procedure and best interest standard of this section shall also apply to a parent who is subject to an injunction pursuant to § 36-6-116(a)(4) or § 36-4-106(d)(5).
History: Acts 1998, ch. 910, § 1; 2007, ch. 187, § 7; 2013, ch. 352, § 1; 2014, ch. 617, §§ 5, 6; 2016, ch. 734, § 2; 2016, ch. 814, § 1; 2018, ch. 853, §§ 1, 2.

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