Opinion ID: 1693781
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: current approach

Text: To prevail on a motion to remove a minor child, the custodial parent must first satisfy the court that he or she has a legitimate reason for leaving the state. Id. After clearing that threshold, the custodial parent must next demonstrate that it is in the child's best interests to continue living with him or her. Id. Of course, whether a proposed move is in the best interests of the child is the paramount consideration. Evenson v. Evenson, 248 Neb. 719, 538 N.W.2d 746 (1995). Despite the child's best interests' being the central concern, we have never explicitly set forth factors to be considered in determining a child's best interests in a removal case. See Farnsworth v. Farnsworth, 6 Neb.App. 597, 576 N.W.2d 476 (1998). Given that, the Court of Appeals utilized, and the mother complained of, a five-pronged test synthesized from approaches in other jurisdictions. Id. While the Court of Appeals took a commendable, groundbreaking approach, we nonetheless find it necessary to independently consider all the appropriate factors to apply in cases such as this. In determining which factors to include in the analysis of a child's best interests, we examine persuasive decisions from other jurisdictions, in the absence of any contrary intention being expressed by our Legislature.