Co-parenting is hard enough when you’re working close to your children and your ex-spouse. The current economic climate means that layoffs and job loss is a more constant reality. If you’ve lost your job, you may have much fewer options in the area where you currently live. Even as companies hire new employees for remote work, many of these companies still expect a new employee to work in the office eventually. You may find that you need to anticipate a relocation with a new position.
Finding the best option for the children
A joint custody agreement often includes limitations on how far a spouse can move. Spouses who are the primary parent need to consider how a move will affect their children’s social lives and education. The parent who isn’t the primary custodian will have to consider the potential hardship or complexity of upholding a joint custody agreement from a more distant location. Here are some of the ways a move can affect a custody agreement:
- If each spouse is willing to communicate and work together, you can modify a custody agreement. A modification can account for the many changes that might occur as a result of a move.
- Specific alterations like an updated co-parenting schedule and travel expenses have to be taken into account with this modification.
- The primary custodial parent typically has more deciding power when it comes to decisions regarding the children. If a move negatively affects the other parent’s custodial rights, this decision may have to be considered in family court.
Working together with your ex-spouse
A new job opportunity is incredibly important to maintaining the well-being of your children. A new role’s financial gains have to be weighed against the effect of this change on your children. Whether or not this decision is a contentious one with your ex-spouse, the implications of a move can have a cascading effect on your custody agreement. Pursue all your options for making a modification that can benefit everyone.