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All child custody situations are fraught with emotion. Children must deal with spending time with their parents separately, and their relationship with both parents will likely change. There may sometimes be situations when the custodial parent needs to relocate to another area of the state or even to another state or country. When that happens, child custody becomes an even more complex issue. In Michigan and most states, what is in the child’s best interest often determines the outcome.
Move-away cases create a problem for the family courts because it can be hard to decide what situation is best for the child. If the move-away request is approved, the non-custodial parent loses his or her ability to remain a physical presence in the child’s everyday life. If the request is not approved, the child must deal with separating from his or her custodial parent.
Several factors are typically considered by family courts when they are trying to make a decision on this type of issue. They may look at the reason behind the relocation, how far away the parent is moving and the nature of the relationship the child has with each parent. If the child is old enough to make the decision about where he or she wants to live, the court may also take that into consideration. In addition, family court judges may want to know how both parents work together in the best interests of their children.
Ultimately, the goal of these child custody decisions is to keep stability and a sense of normalcy in the child’s life. Michigan parents who are facing this type of situation may find some comfort in speaking to legal counsel who understands the nuances of our state’s child custody laws and can give them objective advice. Taking this step can also help parents understand their rights so they can fight for the best interest of their child.
Source: The Huffington Post, In the Child’s Best Interest: What It Means in Move-Away Cases, Lisa Helfend Meyer, Feb. 12, 2014