This is the final post in a series of articles discussing child relocation requests when a Little Rock, Arkansas parent is forced to move to accept new employment. Given the current state of the economy and the job market, many residents have been forced to consider working elsewhere in order to support their families. For obvious reasons, such decisions can be especially difficult to families who share custody of a child. Requests for relocation can have a serious impact on the relationship between the child and the parent remaining behind. Furthermore, moving without a well-developed relocation plan could be detrimental to the child’s well-being. As a result, the ensuing legal process to obtain the Court’s permission to move can be challenging. The goal of this series has been to provide an overview of the relocation request process in the context of employment-related matters. If you need assistance, contact our office today to speak with an attorney.
Throughout this series, we have focused on the following topics:
- Requesting permission to relocate out of state when new employment starts immediately
- Preparing a relocation plan when the request is due to immediate re-employment
- Defending against a request to move the child out of state
- Requesting permission to move based on non-immediate employment reasons
In light of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our economy, we thought it was important to address this issue for the benefit of Arkansas parents who may be facing this situation. First, when an employment decision is urgent, it is possible to seek an expedited request to move with a child. It is important to understand the factors that a Court will review in making its decision whether to grant permission to relocate. Second, a Judge will be concerned about whether the relocation is in the child’s best interest. The primary way to demonstrate this to the Court is by submitting as much detailed information as possible regarding the relocation plan. Proving that a plan is certain, stable, and beneficial to the child is imperative. Third, it is possible for a parent to oppose their counterpart’s request to relocate on a variety of grounds. An experienced attorney can assist with this process. Last, when a request to move is not urgent, the legal process will move at a slower pace, giving both parents the chance to fully brief the Court on the relevant facts.
Our office has extensive family law and child custody experience and we are ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a lawyer. In addition to Little Rock, we also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff, and throughout the rest of Arkansas.