Almost all adults are free to move about as they want. They can pick up and relocate at the drop of a hat if they so choose. That is, unless they have a child custody order governing their children. In that case, the adult is free to move, but the child might not be able to. This puts the parent in a precarious decision.

There are several things that come into the picture when a parent wants to move with the child. There are a few points we think you need to consider before accepting a new job or buying a house.

First, the move has to be approved. Arizona sets a limit of a 100-mile in-state move or an out-of-state move to have to get permission for the move. However, in some cases, more stringent requirements might also be set.

In some situations, the approval has to come from the court. Other times, it needs to come from the other parent. It is imperative that you comply with the applicable conditions to avoid getting into legal trouble.

Second, you have to make sure that the move is in the child’s best interests. The court, if it has to get involved, will look at the stability of the child’s life in the current location and in the proposed location. The type of support that the child will have in the new location is important. The opportunities there are also important.

Third, you need to make sure that you are planning for how the child will continue to have a relationship with the other parent. This depends on the distance between the homes. In long distance circumstances, virtual communication, such as video chats, might be the easiest way that they can communicate regularly.

When a parental relocation is necessary, we can help you to review the circumstances to determine how to proceed.