Relocation

Helping Twin Cities Residents Do What’s Best for Their Children

Unless a parent shows themselves to be incapable as a caregiver (perhaps because of domestic or child abuse), most Minnesota courts award parents with joint custody during divorces or paternity disputes. You may find yourself navigating a child relocation case if you share custody of your child and wish to relocate with them.

At Johnson/Turner Legal, we understand how stressful relocation cases can be for parents on both sides of the case. That’s why all of our clients gain access to a veteran Minnesota relocation attorney, two paralegals, a client engagement specialist, and a life coach. Our team-based approach helps us ensure that you receive the best advice possible for your case.

Additionally, our flat-fee pricing model lets you know up-front exactly how much our services cost. At Johnson/Turner Legal, we know you’ve got enough on your hands with your case—the last thing you should have to worry about is hidden legal fees.

To schedule a consultation with our firm, contact our office online or via phone at (320) 299-4249.

How Does Minnesota Handle Child Relocation?

If you want to relocate a child you only have partial custody of, you must notify the other parent (even if you have a majority of the custody). Notifying the other parent of your intent to relocate as far in advance as possible is a good idea.

If the other parent agrees to the relocation, you must draft a relocation agreement together and file it with the court. This may include a child custody order modification request to give the non-relocating parent more time to call or video chat with the child, etc.

However, if the other parent opposes the relocation and files a motion with the court to oppose the relocation, you will need to attend an evidentiary hearing in court. At the evidentiary hearing, each parent presents reasons and evidence to support their opinion that the child should or should not relocate. The judge then takes those reasons and evidence into account and makes a final decision.

What Does the Court Consider in a Relocation Case?

The court’s ultimate goal is to make a decision that will serve the child’s best interests. To that end, the court considers the following factors during a relocation case:

• The child’s relationship with each parent and the quality of life each parent provides to the child.
• The child’s developmental needs.
• The child’s current quality of life and ties to their current location (friends, family members, teachers, etc.).
• How relocating stands to impact the child’s relationship with both parents and other impacted individuals.
• How relocating stands to impact the child (the stress of finding a new school or making new friends, for example).
• The benefits of relocating for the child (for example, if the child is relocating to an area with a better school system).
• The intentions of the parent filing for relocation.
• The intentions of the parent opposing the relocation.
• Any other factors the court considers relevant.

At Johnson/Turner Legal, we’ll work with you to develop a comprehensive case strategy and defend your parental rights during your relocation case.

To schedule a consultation with our office, contact us online or via phone at (320) 299-4249.