You and your spouse got divorced when your child was just two years old. You set up a child custody arrangement where you both shared legal and physical custody of your child. Physical custody was exchanged every other week.
But since your child is so young, it is natural that you may want to move at some point in the future. After all, you will be sharing custody of the child for the next 16 years, in all likelihood. If you want to move to a new city or a new state, what steps do you need to take to address your custody arrangement?
Seeking a modification
The most important thing to remember is that you should never violate your ex’s custody rights. For instance, you may be tempted to move to another city with your child, even if it means that the custody exchanges are impossible. But this would be a violation of your ex’s right to be involved in the child’s life, so you would be violating the custody order, which could cause significant legal problems moving forward.
Instead, what you need to do is seek a modification of that order. The court can change the custody schedule to make it work even at a distance. You may be asked to provide a reason why you are moving, such as taking a new job, going to school, seeking a more affordable living situation or even moving to live near extended family members.
Regardless of the specific reason, getting the modification is critical, so be sure you know what legal steps to take.