If you find yourself struggling to adjust to life after a divorce, sometimes a change of scenery is all that you need to really get that fresh start you desire. Moving to a new neighborhood can be a way to do that after a difficult divorce. Sometimes, you want or need to move farther away. Maybe you can get a better job in another city. Perhaps you want to move closer to your family.
However, if you share custody of your kids with your ex, there are likely limitations on your right to relocate. Can you move wherever you want if you have shared custody after an Arizona divorce?
State law limits parental relocation
Although some states handle relocation limits on a case-by-case basis, Arizona has a more cut-and-dry approach to this matter. The state has a law that specifically limits the right of a parent to relocate after a divorce.
A parent with shared custody can move anywhere within a hundred miles in most situations. If you plan to move more than a hundred miles, you will need to ask the courts for permission. Seeking a custody modification is the straightforward way to do so, although your ex can potentially contest your request for this modification.
As with other custody matters, the courts will consider whether it will benefit your children or not when making a decision about a parent’s relocation. If you plan to relocate or wish to, discussing the matter with a family law attorney can give you an idea of the best way to handle this sometimes-complicated process.