Success Formulas for Move-Away Custody Disputes

It is imperative that attorneys handling move-away cases understand the nuances of the law and make a persuasive initial factual showing. Here’s why.

By Maya Shulman, Family Lawyer

After six months of tense negotiations, divorcing parents Robert and Emma (names changed) finally worked out a custody arrangement regarding their two young sons.

The court decreed that the children’s primary residence would be with Emma, but she and Robert shared joint legal custody. Both parents were adhering to the visitation arrangement, the children were adjusted and doing well in school, and relationships between both parents and children appeared to be positive.

Two years later, Emma got engaged. Unexpectedly, her fiancé’s company moved its headquarters (and the fiancé’s position) from California to Arizona. Emma assumed that as the primary residential parent, she had the prerogative to move with the children to be with her fiancé.

Robert had quite a different perspective. Since both parents had joint legal custody, he felt he had equal say in where the children were raised. He was unhappy about the boys moving, as were the children. Both Robert and the boys worried their bond would weaken with distance. Robert feared being, at best, a “weekend dad” – and at worst, a forgotten dad.

Ultimately, Emma was permitted to move and take their sons. What factors did the court consider to support this outcome?

Move-Away Custody Disputes: Governing Litigation

The overriding principle governing litigation over proposed move-aways is codified in Family Code section 7501, subdivision(a): “A parent entitled to the custody of a child has a right to change the residence of the child, subject to the power of the court to restrain a removal that would prejudice the rights or welfare of the child. General provisions affecting move-away cases are found in Family Code sections 3020 (legislative declaration of policies and resolution of conflicting policy considerations), 3087 (allowing modification or termination of joint custody orders), and 3185 (hearing if mediation does not resolve custody and visitation issues).

In re Marriage of Burgess (1996) 13 Cal.4th 25 held that a custodial parent need not prove that the move is necessary where custody has been established; custodial parent is permitted to move with children unless changed circumstances mandate otherwise.

In re Marriage of LaMusga (2004) 32 Cal.4th 1072 built on Burgess by holding that after an initial custody determination, a noncustodial parent may challenge a proposed move. The noncustodial parent does not have to establish that a change of custody is “essential” to prevent detriment to the children from the planned move, but only bears the initial burden of showing that the proposed relocation would cause detriment to the children, requiring a reevaluation of the children’s custody. The likely impact of the proposed move on the noncustodial parent’s relationship with the children is a relevant factor. If the noncustodial parent makes an initial showing of detriment, the court must perform the delicate and difficult task of determining whether a change in custody is in the best interests of the children.

In re Marriage of Brown and Yana (2006) 37 Cal.4th 947 holds that a parent without legal or physical custody is entitled to seek modification of custody over a proposed move-away by showing detriment to the children.

Factors Courts Consider When Evaluating Move-Away Custody Disputes

In evaluating move-aways, courts consider:

• Ensuring that the children maintain stable and continuous contact with both parents.
• How much time the children spend with each parent under the current arrangement, how long the current custody order has been in place, the children’s ties to friends, school, community activities, and the special needs of the children.
• The children’s age.
• The relationship of the children with both parents.
• The relationship between the parents.

The contact factor requires the court to evaluate the distance from the stay-behind parent, availability for visitation, cost for exercising visitation (i.e. travel or other costs), the burden on the children by not seeing the stay-behind parent as frequently, and whether the move is for legitimate reasons or merely a bad-faith effort to frustrate visitation with the other parent.

How Far Does the Move Have to be Before it is Considered a “Move-Away”?

In California, the rule-of-thumb distance for a case to be considered a “move-away” is 50 miles. Parents considering moving out of state would be wise to check custody and visitation guidelines in the receiving state.

• Be able to demonstrate a good reason for the move and how it would be detrimental for the child/children to NOT move.
• Be able to demonstrate that the move is really legitimate.

Each move-away case presents unique circumstances, so a success formula is rarely predictable. It is imperative that attorneys handling these matters both understand the nuances of the law and are effective in making a persuasive initial factual showing, as family law courts have wide discretion about custody and visitation, and are rarely reversed in move-away determinations.

Maya Shulman has been practicing law for 15 years, serving clients throughout Los Angeles County and Ventura County. With offices in Calabasas, Maya is a member of The American Bar Association and the Family Law Sections of the Los Angeles County and San Fernando Valley Bar Associations. www.shulmanfamilylawgroup.us

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