Coronado is an affluent resort city situated on a peninsula in the San Diego Bay. Known for the Hotel del Coronado, luxury shopping, and a thriving local economy, it’s a beautiful area to raise a family. However, many parents in the area are required to adhere to child custody orders, and it is possible for many types of disputes to arise. Relocation is often a contested issue, and a Coronado child custody relocation lawyer can assist you on either side of such a dispute.
Representing Parents in Coronado, CA, Child Custody Relocation Disputes
The attorneys at Neumann Family Law, A.P.C., have years of experience representing clients in a wide variety of difficult family court matters, from divorces to child custody disputes, as well as modification hearings. Whether you are planning to relocate with your child or you are preparing to contest your co-parent’s relocation with your child, we can help. Our team will review the details of your case and develop a tailored strategy to help you meet your goals.
Roughly 10.5% of women and 7% of men in California have been divorced, and it is possible for divorced parents, as well as unmarried parents, to have standing custody orders for their children that they must obey at all times. However, the family court system recognizes that life events could influence the terms of a standing custody order, and sometimes modifications are necessary.
A move-away attorney can assist you on either side of a relocation dispute. We can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as dictated by your custody order, and you can rely on us to explain your options on either side of a relocation dispute. In most cases, these issues will lead to modification hearings in the San Diego family court. Trust our team to provide compassionate guidance through every step of your proceedings.
Understanding the Modification Process for Custody Orders in Coronado
Custody in California is assigned in two ways. Legal custody enables a parent to make decisions for their child, such as where they will go to school and what type of medical care they can receive, and physical custody determines how much time a child spends with each parent and the child’s primary residence. Many parents in California have joint custody orders that provide legal custody to both parents while dividing physical custody based on the child’s needs.
The family courts of California acknowledge the fact that life can sometimes present unexpected challenges and opportunities, some of which directly impact a standing custody order. For example, a parent receives a new job offer in a city 100 miles away, and they want to take their child with them when they move.
If the move will impact the non-relocating parent’s ability to exercise their custody and visitation rights, they may object to the relocation. Even if they agree, the custody order will need to be modified to account for the relocation.
A modification petition for any type of change to a family court order will lead to a hearing. In this hearing, both the relocating parent and the non-relocating parent will have a chance to speak on the issue. The relocating parent may explain why they believe this move would suit their child’s best interests, while the non-relocating parent may argue against the move, and why the move would not be in the child’s best interests.
Challenging Relocation in a Coronado Modification Hearing
It can be incredibly distressing to learn that your co-parent intends to move and take your child with them. If you have a joint custody order, the order should explain the rules for relocation, and an experienced Coronado child custody relocation lawyer can help you understand your options in this situation.
If the relocating parent fails to present a compelling argument as to why the move would be better for their child, the judge may be unwilling to agree to the relocation if the non-relocating parent can present a more robust argument. It is also possible for the non-relocating parent to propose assuming greater physical custody of the child, allowing the other parent to go ahead with their move alone.
Ultimately, family court judges in California have a legal duty to always rule in favor of a child’s best interests when handling any type of modification dispute. The judge will examine the relocating parent’s motivation for their move, the child’s individual needs, and the arguments presented by the non-relocating parent in making this decision.
How Your Coronado Child Custody Relocation Lawyer Can Help
Any type of proposed change to a custody order could be disputed for various reasons. If you intend to relocate to provide better opportunities for your child, your move-away attorney can help you make a strong case and explain your rights and responsibilities under the terms of your custody order. If you must fight a relocation petition, your attorney can be an invaluable source of guidance and support during an emotionally straining experience.
Neumann Family Law, A.P.C., has years of experience helping clients in Coronado and surrounding communities of the San Diego area with all types of family court disputes. We understand that relocation is a contentious issue and will do everything we can to help you achieve your goals on either side of this dispute.
Once you have decided to relocate, you must notify your co-parent immediately and obtain their express written permission if required by your custody order. If you have been notified that your co-parent wishes to relocate, you have limited time to prepare your counterarguments. Our team is ready to help you with your relocation dispute, so contact us today and schedule a consultation with an experienced Coronado child custody relocation lawyer you trust.
*CFLS = Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization
