Coachella Valley Child Custody Move-Away and Relocation Experts
California Move-Away and Relocation Law
If you are planning to move with minor children over the objection of the
other parent even a relatively short distance, or if you are resisting
the other parent's attempt to move your children to the next town or county
or beyond, you are facing a move-away situation and you need a qualified
move away and custody lawyer. You need to take steps early on to prepare
for and protect your position, and you need legal guidance. For more on
move-aways please visit our
FAQ's and
our Enlightened Divorce™ Blog!
Parenting and parental rights are extremely complicated and sensitive issues.
We live in an incredibly mobile society with family and connections in
all kinds of near and far off places. Often after the breakup of a marriage
or relationship a parent wishes to move somewhere else but the other parent
does not. This creates a parenting tension that courts may be called upon
to resolve.
Reasons for moving are varied. These may include new relationships, better
jobs, or family ties that promise economic or emotional support and assistance,
or educational opportunities, or flight from domestic violence and abusive
conduct, to name a few. Reasons can be neutral with regard to the other
parent, or they can be intended to frustrate and interfere with that person's
parental rights and as part of a deliberate program of
parental alienation.
A complicated body of law has evolved to deal with the changed-residence
impacts upon children and non-custodial and joint custodial parents which
lawyers, judges, and legal commentators call the law of "move-away"or
parent "relocation." When relocation occurs or is proposed it
promises dramatic affects on the other parent, and consequences for the
youngsters. No matter what you think your custodial status to be, being
entitled or permitted to relocate with children or successfully challenging
a move away parent is far from guaranteed. Indeed, the decision to move
away can result in a court order that the parent who previously had primary
custody conditionally relinquishes it, if they move. Move away litigation
is just one more area of family law where clients are ill-equipped and
ill-advised to go it alone.
California child custody and relocation law contains a number of important and sometimes conflicting presumptions that dramatically impact how a Family Court will decide a move away Petition. Much depends upon the status quo that the parents themselves have established over time prior to the proposed move, whether by agreement or course of conduct, and whether there has been already been a final custody determination for joint or sole custody.
Parents May Relocate With Children But ...
The law begins with the presumption that "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 and welfare of the child."
Family Code section 7501. However, which parent is "entitled to the custody of a child"
is not just a matter of custody labels, like joint physical custody or
"primary physical custody." Parents may have developed an established
pattern regarding child rearing responsibilities which may impact the
outcome greatly. Underlying all judicial inquiry is whether one parent
has become the minor's dominant "psychological" parent.
Courts Look to the Actual Custodial Arrangement and Timeshare
If you are or plan to be a move-away parent your move-away RFO application will be more difficult if you have already agreed to, or a Court has ordered, that the custodial arrangement you share with the other parent is one of "joint custody" as defined in Family Code section 3002 or section 3004. If you are resisting, or anticipate you may be required to resist, the relocation of the other parent your interest lies in having your custody arrangement declared to be "joint" but more importantly that your actual custodial calendar-wise time is as great as is possible. Labels will not guarantee an outcome for either side, however: What matters is the actual, de facto, timesharing that each parent has with the children.
If you have a true joint parenting arrangement (as you approach equal an timeshare), whether the move will be permitted is governed by the best interests of the minor, considering a host of factors. If you do not have a true joint time parenting plan, the moving parent is presumptively entitled to go with your kids unless the resisting parent can establish that the move will create a sufficient detriment to justify a reversing of primary custody to the non-moving parent.
Ultimately both parents' decisions should be guided by a heartfelt consideration for what is best for kids, both in terms of their well-being and in terms of their access and relationship with the other parent. Sadly, other motivations often interfere.
If you wish to relocate with your children, or if you are resisting a move-away,
Contact attorneys Arnold, Peterson & Criste right away!
We serve relocation and move-away parents particularly within the desert cities
of Palm Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Joshua Tree, Blythe,
Hemet, Twenty-Nine Palms, Cathedral City, Indio, Desert Hot Springs, Yucca
Valley, and Riverside!
Testimonials & Endorsements
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“Not only is Mr. Peterson’s knowledge of the law beyond measure, he’s able to articulate it so it’s understandable.”
If you are going through a divorce, Arnold & Peterson is in my opinion the best option available. Mr. Peterson and his assistant Jordyn are top notch. Not only is Mr. Peterson’s knowledge of the law beyond measure, he’s able to articulate it so it’s understandable. He was able to navigate my emotions and help my uphill battle to receive proper visitation as a father. Jordyn never hesitated to reach out within the same business day if documents were needed or for any question I had about the process. Thanks to the team, we resolved the divorce healthfully. I couldn’t be more grateful.- Josh Arguijo -
“I needed the best analysis and advice possible. I found Attorney Thurman Arnold III in Palm Springs.”
I am a Veteran and Retired Deputy Sheriff. My divorce involved complicated property distribution and spousal support issues. I spent considerable time looking for the best Counsel I could find before I negotiated with my ex-wife and her Attorney. In fact, my case was in another county, but that didn't matter. I needed the best analysis and advice possible. I found Attorney Thurman Arnold III in Palm Springs. Attorney Arnold is a BAR Certified Family Law Specialist. In my humble opinion the best! His review of my case and how "Moore Marsden" property division applied was invaluable. His guidance saved me $30,000 dollars. Thank you, Thurman!- Jeff Jones -
“Mike is adept at managing expectations and being very fair and measured.”
Needed to modify a settlement and hired Mike Peterson. Mike is very, very knowledgeable and experienced. When you are going through a divorce or child custody issues, it is the most terrifying and stressful experience. Mike is adept at managing expectations and being very fair and measured. I wish I had hired him initially to get it all done straight the first time around. He is very responsive and communicative and understands the client well. Good luck going through this process - have a good guide like Mike without a doubt.- Donika McKelvie -
“I would highly recommend him and the firm”
Micheal Peterson is very knowledgeable of law and can help you make the best decisions for your family. He does is job with integrity. He helps with giving discounts when he can . I would highly recommend him and the firm . Very good staff .- Vincent Hall -
“Very professional, honest, and handled everything without a hiccup.”
Arnold & Peterson are a class act. Very professional, honest, and handled everything without a hiccup. When a year had passed, he and Jordyn contacted me to let me know I still had retainer on the books! I had forgot and they sent me the money anyway! For this I am very grateful and cannot recommend them enough. You won’t go wrong with Thurman Arnold. He is definitely the guy to have on your side.- Matt Feenstra -
“Simply the Best of the Best!!!”
I Highly Recommend Michael C. Peterson at the Law Office of Thurman W. Arnold!!! I hired Michael for my custody case and he is very knowledgeable and took the time to educate me on the process so we can put together a winning strategy. He fought for me and my children in court and successfully won our case. There are no words to describe how grateful and appreciative I am for Michaels service!!! If you are sitting on the fence on which Attorney to hire, do yourself a favor and hire Michael. I would not recommend anyone else!!! Simply the Best of the Best!!!- John and Lukes Tube -
“Mike amazes me by his knowledge of my case, made me feel like I was his only client.”
- Damaris M.I reached out to this law firm 2 years ago when my life was falling apart. My case was assigned to attorney Michael Peterson. I didn't know much about him except few reviews on google but I'm glad I hit the jackpot. Mike amazes me by his knowledge of my case, made me feel like I was his only client. He's very responsive, respectful and and goes above and…
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“He and Michael Peterson are truly masters of their craft.”
When my clients have family law issues, I routinely refer them to Thurman Arnold. He and Michael Peterson are truly masters of their craft. Family law can be an unwieldy beast, but they handle it with precision and finesse.- Edward Cross
