St. Louis Child Custody Lawyers

Helping You with All Your Parental Relocation Needs

STL Law Group provides effective legal representation for parental relocation matters. We can help you understand your rights as a parent as they pertain to relocation. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that your relationship with your child is strongly protected.

The relocation process involves the following steps:

• The parent seeking relocation must send a notice by mail to the other parent 60 days before the date of relocation
• The relocating parent must include information about the move, such as the date, new address and phone number, and physical custody schedule
• The non-relocating parent then has 30 days to file a motion to block the relocation if they wish to
• The relocating parent then has 14 days to respond to this motion, which will then send the matter to court

Understanding the Reasons For Relocation

A parent may choose to relocate for a variety of reasons. There may be better employment opportunities in another county or state that will place both parent and child in a better financial situation. The parent may have family living in another city, which they want the child to be closer to, such as grandparents. Whether you are looking to move to another city or are trying to prevent relocation, our team of St. Louis child custody attorneys can provide you with the effective representation you need.

How Do the Courts Decide If Relocation Is in the Best Interest of the Child?

Much like during custody hearings, the courts use several factors in determining what is in the best interest of the child. Will the change in schools cause emotional distress for the child? Will the distance prevent the child from having a meaningful relationship with the other parent? How much time does the child currently spend with the non-relocating parent? These are all questions that the courts ask during relocation hearings in addition to evaluating the relocating parent's motives for moving.