Are You Involved in an Out-of-State Custodial Child Removal Case?
As a family law attorney for nearly three decades, I have seen many custodial parents petition the courts to move their child out of Massachusetts. In many cases, removal cases become battlegrounds for emotional issues and disputes between the parents.
At the Law Offices of John Hoffman, I have been representing parents on both sides of the out-of-state removal issue for more than 28 years. If you are considering petitioning to remove your child from the state, or if you are a noncustodial parent seeking to block a petition, contact my offices in Sharon to schedule a consultation. We will discuss the circumstances of your removal case and I clearly explain what the courts are looking for in removal cases.
Will Moving to Another State Benefit the Child?
Many custodial parents think it will be an automatic approval to move the child to another state if they can show that there is a job or future spouse waiting. The courts consider the benefits of the move for the custodial parent, of course, but they must also see that uprooting the child from school, social activities and the noncustodial parent will not result in unforeseen harm. The court will look at a parenting plan as one of the factors in determining whether or not relocation should be allowed..
Working Out the Best Arrangement for Your Child
Parents are sometimes able to work out a fair parenting time arrangement that will not adversely affect the relationship between the child and the noncustodial parent. This is often the case when the child is of sufficient age to discuss the benefits of the move. The noncustodial parent may successfully argue for increased parenting time over the summer months and vacation periods, as well as reduced child support to account for the additional costs of travel. Talking to an experienced child custody lawyer will help you resolve many issues about out-of-state removal before they grow into expensive adversarial litigation.
From my offices in Sharon, Massachusetts, I represent clients on both sides of the out-of-state removal issue throughout Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth counties. Contact me today.
