Texas Child Custody Relocation Attorney (2023)

Last Updated on March 12, 2023 by Benson Varghese

What you need to know about Texas Child Custody Relocation Laws

A divorced parent could have many reasons for relocating with their children.

Whether it’s for a new job, moving closer to family, or looking for a fresh start after a divorce, there are plenty of reasonable motivations for relocating.

Such a move, however, typically requires both parents to be on top of their rights and responsibilities under Texas child custody laws. If you need child custody help, it’s important to consult with a child custody relocation attorney before making any ill-advised moves.

In this post, the Varghese Summersett Family Law Group will explain the Texas relocation laws and what is necessary to relocate your child.

Can I relocate my child if I have sole managing conservatorship in Texas?

In some instances, one parent is identified as the child’s sole managing conservator.
In Texas, sole managing conservatorship is essentially the same as having the sole legal decision-making for the child.

A parent with sole managing conservatorship typically has the exclusive right to make all critical decisions for the child. These decisions include deciding on the child’s primary home without any restrictions.

What does this mean? It means sole managing conservators typically don’t need permission from a Texas court or the other parent to relocate the child, regardless of whether it’s to a different state.

It’s a good practice to give proper notice of the move to the other parent.
A child custody relocation attorney can help facilitate such a move.

Can I relocate my child with a Joint Managing Conservatorship in Texas?

Joint managing conservatorships are more common in Texas, and relocation options are more complicated.
Unless there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, Texas courts are likely to grant joint managing custody to the parents.

In these arrangements, both parents share legal decision-making responsibilities for most child-related matters. And Texas law generally finds that it’s better for the child if the parents remain relatively close.

Take note: Even if the parents share joint legal custody, that doesn’t always equate to equal time with the child. One parent is often granted primary physical custody of the child.

Neither parent has the exclusive right to relocate the child in a joint managing conservatorship.

One parent’s ability to relocate the child depends on any geographic restrictions in the initial custody agreement. In Texas, many joint custody arrangements limit the primary residence of the child to one or more Texas counties.

If one parent wants to relocate the child beyond the geographic restrictions previously agreed to, they’ll need to modify the joint managing conservatorship arrangement.

The most common way to secure a modification is with a consent agreement with the other parent. However, if the other parent declines, there are other options available.

A Texas court could deny relocation if it has cause to believe the intent of the move is to interfere in the child’s relationship with the other parent.

The experienced child custody relocation attorneys at the Varghese Summersett Family Law Group will help you formulate a case to show the court that relocation is necessary and in the child’s best interests.

What if there are no court-ordered restrictions on child custody relocation?

Even if there are no court-ordered restrictions on where the child resides, a parent is still required to receive permission from the Texas court.

If a parent wants to move with the child, they are required to discuss it with the other parent.
If both agree to the move, it can happen. If the other parent objects, a hearing is required.

However, if the other parent objects to the move, they can file an application for a temporary restraining order, which prevents the move until a relocation hearing can be held.

The parent wanting to relocate the child is required to show compelling reasons for the move. A skilled child custody relocation attorney at Varghese Summersett will help strategies your options.

What if I try to relocate my child out of state without permission in Texas?

child custody relocation attorney

If one parent tries to move the child out of state without proper permission, the other parent can file a temporary restraining order to stop the relocation.
If the parent wanting to relocate the child violates the restraining order, they could face a parental abduction charge, which is a state jail felony.

Be mindful. Before making a rash decision with your child, consider the possible consequences and how it could affect not only you but your child.
Speak with a child custody relocation attorney if you have a valid reason for the move.

The Varghese Summersett Family Law Group can guide you through the options available to get permission to relocate.

How do Texas courts make child custody decisions during a divorce?

When child custody is being decided by a Texas court, the welfare and best interest of the child is the top consideration. Texas family law judges typically consider the following when deciding on child custody:

* Will the child’s physical, psychological, and emotional needs and development benefit from the proposed arrangement
* Do the parents have the ability to make the child’s welfare their first priority and reach shared decisions that are in the child’s best interests?
* Will each parent encourage a positive relationship between the child and the other parent?
* Are both parents participating in child-rearing before the divorce or custody action?
* What is the geographical proximity of the parents?
* Does the child (if at least age 12) have a preference?
* Other factors a judge may deem relevant to the decision

Your child custody relocation attorney will review these topics with you.

Need a Child Custody Relocation Attorney? Call the Varghese Summersett Family Law Group.

If you are attempting to relocate with your child, contact the Varghese Summersett Family Law Group.

Our team of child custody relocation attorneys has a combined three decades of experience offering skilled expertise in all manner of family law cases.

To go over your options and discuss a strategy, call us at 817-900-3220

Turner Thornton

Turner Thornton

Turner Thornton is a well-known family law attorney in Fort Worth who leads the Varghese Summersett Family Law Group. Turner has successfully guided hundreds of individuals and families through the most trying period of their lives as a skilled negotiator and savvy litigator. Turner Thornton concentrates his practice on family law, including divorce, child custody, contempt, and modification cases. He is experienced in handling estates with significant and unique assets that can be difficult to value. He finds amicable resolutions where possible to conserve his client's resources, but knows how to take the gloves off if the situation calls for it. He has had remarkable results in and outside of the courtroom based largely on his ability and desire to understand his clients' needs and guide them on the pathway to what success looks like for them.
Nicole Carroll
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Turner Thornton

Nicole Carroll | Senior Counsel

Last Updated on February 12, 2024 by Turner Thornton Nicole CarrollSenior Counsel Nicole Carroll is a highly experienced Southlake family law attorney who serves as

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