One of the most troubling issues when a couple with children separate or divorce arises when one parent wants to move away with the children and resettle in a place that is a considerable distance away from the other parent.
After a couple splits, it’s natural that the parties wish to get on with their lives. They may meet a new partner who lives interstate (or even internationally), or want to relocate to pursue a new or better employment opportunity. But this doesn’t mean that the parent who wishes to relocate can automatically take their children with them, they require the the other parents permission to move.
Failure to gain permission may mean the relocating partner becomes subject to a Recovery Order sought by the other parent, where the child or children can be brought back by the Australian Federal Police or local police until the issue is properly resolved through the court.
What is the process if one parent wants to relocate with children?
Ultimately the Federal Circuit Court can make orders either allowing or disallowing a parent to move away from the other parent with the couple’s children. But before getting to court, the parties are always advised to undertake meditation or family dispute resolution in order to try and resolve their differences on the issue.
Even at this stage it’s recommended you seek knowledgeable legal advice in order to understand your rights before entering into the dispute resolution process. Generally speaking, dispute resolution offers a quicker, more cost-effective and more amicable path forward for each parent, where creative solutions can be agreed on which will then be documented in a Parenting Plan or a Consent Order. It should be noted that a Parenting Plan – while constituting an agreement between the parties – is not legally enforceable and can be varied by a new agreement. A Consent Order, on the other hand, is also an agreement between parents but one that is registered – and therefore enforceable – by the court.
What happens if the matter ends up in court?
If agreement can’t be reached via dispute resolution, either parent can apply to the Family Court or Federal Circuit Court so that a decision can be made to resolve the relocation issue.
The court takes into account a range of factors in determining whether to allow one parent to relocate with the children, based on the “best interests of the child” provision within the Family Law Act. These include:
- Deciding whether the new arrangements allow the children to have or develop a meaningful relationship with both parents (in particular, the parent who is not relocating).
- What the child or children wishes to do, taking into account their maturity and understanding of the matter.
- Accounting for the attachment of the child to each parent (and any other significant people in the child’s life) and therefore, how great an effect being separated from that parent/those people will have on the child.
- The practicalities of the child spending time with each parent in terms of cost, travel time, etc. Again, this is particularly relevant for the non-relocating parent.
- Whether any siblings are involved, particularly if they wish to remain with the non-relocating parent and the effect this will have on the child who has to move.
- The reasons behind one parent wanting to move, including the prospect of better economic opportunity, better support from extended family, or because of domestic abuse in the former relationship with the other parent.
- The willingness and ability of each parent to facilitate and encourage a close and continuing relationship between the child and the other parent, including preparedness to spend holidays and other milestone moments with them.
- Whether the parent who doesn’t want to relocate is at all able to do so.
As is clear, these are significant and complex issues to be worked through by the court. Any decision to pursue a decision through the court process should be supported by expert advice by experienced Ipswich family lawyers.
McNamara Law handles legal matters involving families with sensitivity, compassion and understanding. We offer a free, initial 30-minute consultation to discuss your issue and canvass all possible options available to you to protect your rights and those of your children. Call our Ipswich lawyers today on 1300 285 888 if any of the issues raised in this article are causing concern.
