{"id":1165,"date":"2026-06-12T20:07:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corey-law.com\/?p=1165"},"modified":"2026-06-12T20:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T20:07:08","slug":"settle-outstanding-tax-liabilities-pennies-dollar-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/12\/settle-outstanding-tax-liabilities-pennies-dollar-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Relocating With Children? Five Questions EveryParent Should Ask Before Making a Move"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jeffrey Ott is an attorney licensed in Oregon and Washington.\u00a0\u00a0 He has helped numerous families and defendants for more than 15 years. Questions?\u00a0 Email him:\u00a0 jeffrey@corey-law.com<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Relocation cases are rarely about geography.<\/p>\n

Most begin with a seemingly straightforward question. A parent receives a job offer. Family support becomes available in another state. A new spouse has an opportunity elsewhere. The parent wants to know whether they can move.<\/p>\n

The legal question, however, is usually different.<\/p>\n

The question is whether the move will affect the rights of the other parent and, perhaps more importantly, which court has the authority to make that decision.<\/p>\n

After more than fifteen years handling interstate custody disputes, I have found that many relocation cases become significantly more expensive than they need to be because the parties begin acting before they understand the terrain.<\/p>\n

Here are five questions I encourage parents to ask before making significant decisions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. If I Have Primary Custody, Can I Move Wherever I Want?<\/u><\/h2>\n

Not necessarily.<\/p>\n

Many parents assume that having primary custody automatically grants them the authority to relocate with the children. That assumption is often incorrect.<\/p>\n

The issue is not whether a parent wishes to move. The issue is how that move affects the children\u2019s relationship with the other parent.<\/p>\n

A move across town may create few legal complications. A move across state lines may create many.<\/p>\n

Before accepting a position, signing a lease, or purchasing a home, it is often worthwhile to determine what restrictions exist under the current judgment and how a court is likely to evaluate the proposed relocation.<\/p>\n

The cost of understanding those issues in advance is usually far less than the cost of litigating them later.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Which State Actually Has Authority Over My Case?<\/u><\/h2>\n

This is often the most important question in the entire case.<\/p>\n

Many parents assume that once a child begins living in a new state, the new state automatically gains authority over custody decisions.<\/p>\n

That is not how the law works.<\/p>\n

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, commonly referred to as the UCCJEA, exists to prevent multiple states from issuing competing custody orders.<\/p>\n

The practical effect is that a parent may relocate while the original state continues to retain jurisdiction for years afterward.<\/p>\n

The most expensive mistake I see in relocation cases is not necessarily moving. It is making strategic decisions based on assumptions about jurisdiction that later prove incorrect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. What Factors Will A Court Consider?<\/u><\/h2>\n

Every case is unique, but certain themes appear repeatedly.<\/p>\n

Courts generally want to understand:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Why the move is occurring.<\/li>\n
  • Whether the move benefits the children.<\/li>\n
  • How parenting time will be preserved.<\/li>\n
  • Whether the relocating parent has acted reasonably.<\/li>\n
  • Whether meaningful contact with both parents can continue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The question is rarely whether a move is good or bad.<\/p>\n

    The question is whether the move can occur while preserving the children\u2019s relationship with both parents.<\/p>\n

    That distinction often matters.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    4. What Mistakes Create Problems In Relocation Cases?<\/u><\/h2>\n

    The most common mistakes are usually made before anyone enters a courtroom.<\/p>\n

    Parents often assume:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Notice can wait.<\/li>\n
    • Agreements can remain informal.<\/li>\n
    • Jurisdiction is obvious.<\/li>\n
    • The other parent will eventually understand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Sometimes those assumptions prove correct.<\/p>\n

      Often they do not.<\/p>\n

      The difficulty is that once a position hardens, options begin disappearing.<\/p>\n

      A recurring theme in family law is that early decisions tend to shape later outcomes.<\/p>\n

      The objective is not merely to solve today\u2019s problem. It is to preserve tomorrow\u2019s options.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      5. When Should I Speak With An Attorney?<\/u><\/h2>\n

      Usually earlier than people think.<\/p>\n

      The purpose of an early consultation is not necessarily litigation.<\/p>\n

      More often, it is understanding the terrain.<\/p>\n

      Relocation cases frequently involve multiple states, multiple courts, and competing narratives regarding what is best for the children.<\/p>\n

      Understanding which facts matter, which assumptions may be dangerous, and which decisions should be postponed can save substantial time, expense, and frustration.<\/p>\n

      Every case is different. The earlier a parent understands the legal landscape, the more options generally remain available.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Jeffrey Ott is an attorney licensed in Oregon and Washington.\u00a0\u00a0 He has helped numerous families and defendants for more than 15 years. Questions?\u00a0 Email him:\u00a0 jeffrey@corey-law.com   Relocation cases are rarely about geography. Most begin with a seemingly straightforward question. A parent receives a job offer. Family support becomes available in another state. A new […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,10,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-debt","category-irs","category-tax","czr-hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1165"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1166,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1165\/revisions\/1166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1165"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1165"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/corey-law.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1165"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}