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FAQ: Child Custody & Relocation Cases / What is "detriment?" ~ FPS Family Law
By FPS / 02 October 2018 / Children, Divorce, FAQ
Relocation Cases Part 6:
Is a move-away in the child’s best interests?
Relocation cases are some of the most heavily contested and complicated child custody disputes that come into our California family law firm. In this blog series, I’m going to break down the most common client questions and how they line up with what the court needs to consider in a move-away case.
Once the court has considered all of the preliminary factors of what the parenting plan is, whether there is a presumptive right to move, and whether or not the proposed move is being made in good faith, the final factor the court has to consider is: what is in the best interests of the children?
Generally, the answer is that the court will look at anything that is relevant. Every case is different, the specific facts are different, and as such the court is given wide discretion as to what is to be considered and how much weight should be given to any one factor in the final determination.
However, when dealing with move-aways, the court has been given some guidelines to consider from the case of La Musga:
The Child’s Interest in Stability and Continuity of the Custodial Arrangement
The Parent’s Relationship and Willingness to Make the Children’s Interests Paramount
Wishes of the Child – Assuming adequate maturity level
Reasons for the Proposed Move
The Extent to Which the Parents Currently Share Custody
Once the court has gotten to the best interests analysis, all factors relevant to the children’s lives should be presented. With relocation, the court has to assume that the proposed move will take place. Thus, when there are significant distances involved the court will have to make a decision as to which parent should be the primary parent for the children through most of the year. Grades, parental involvement, emotional or medical issues for the children or the parents, substance abuse, and a history of domestic violence would all be relevant.
It can become quite difficult for a court to make such a momentous decision when there are two appropriate parents without significant issues impacting their ability to parent such as substance abuse or domestic violence. Thus, the decision often comes down to the parent’s respective ability to co-parent and maintain the relationship between the children and the other parent.
In every case where the children’s best interests are to be calculated, I have found it to be incredibly important for my clients to be seen as the most reasonable, respectful person in the relationship. It can be difficult, but particularly in cases where the result could be the loss of significant contact between the children and my client, keeping a proper perspective, supporting the relationship with the other parent, and exhibiting the ability to be reasonable and flexible can make all the difference.
PART 1: HOW FAR CAN I MOVE?
PART 2: WHY CAN’T I JUST MOVE AWAY?
PART 3: WHAT FACTORS WILL THE COURT ASSESS?
PART 4: WHAT IS A GOOD FAITH REASON FOR A MOVE?
PART 5: HOW CAN A NON-MOVING PARENT SHOW “DETRIMENT?”
PART6: IS A MOVE-AWAY IN THE CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matthew K. Purcell is a shareholder with FORESTER PURCELL STOWELL PC, a Northern California firm focused exclusively on specialized counsel for complex family law issues. Matt is a Certified Family Law Specialist and has more than a decade of experience handling a range of family law issues, as well as guardianships and juvenile dependency. Offering broad expertise to his clients, Matt has handled everything from intricate property and support issues to complex custody issues involving allegations of sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, parental alienation, and relocations. The firm regularly represents business owners, professionals, and other high net worth individuals (or their spouses) in divorce, premarital agreements, custody disputes, and related actions. The legal team can be reached via our Contact Page or by phone at 916 293 4000. This information is general in nature and should not be construed as legal advice.
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