Interstate & International Child Relocation

Attorneys Representing Clients in Child Relocation Matters

The attorneys at The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C. are experienced family law attorneys with extensive knowledge and understanding of the various laws that pertain to parental kidnapping cases. We also handle international and interstate custody disputes. At The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C., we assist with child relocation cases, initial custody matters for parents who wish to move overseas, and with parental abduction cases in which a parent is seeking the return of a child kidnapped by the other parent.

The various laws which may apply in an international or interstate custody dispute, or in a parental kidnapping situation, are as follows:

Regaining Custody

In the event your child has been taken from your geographical area and you are trying to regain custody of your child, or if you fear that your child will be removed from the state or country where you are residing, The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C. is able to promptly assist you and answer any questions you may have. The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C. attorneys can also answer any questions you may have about your ability to relocate with your child, and the possible legal issues which may arise as a result of relocation.

Child Custody & Relocation

In today’s society, few families remain in the same community or geographical region until their children reach adulthood. Often, a parent may be forced to move due to a job transfer, military orders, or due to financial considerations. Furthermore, after a divorce or separation, it is not uncommon for one parent to relocate from a high cost of living area, to a lower cost of living area. It is also not uncommon for one parent to relocate in order to live with family members, due to the financial consequences of a divorce or separation.

We represent parents on both sides of the issue, parents who wish to relocate with their child, and parents who wish to prevent their child from moving. If you are going to court on a child relocation matter, contact us to schedule a consultation. We will look at the circumstances of the current situation, and the proposed relocation, and advise you of the application of Virginia law to your circumstances. We will guide you through the process.

What do I do if I learn that my child will be relocated?

When one parent is forced to relocate, the obvious question to be determined is which parent will retain primary physical custody of the minor children, and what will be the other parent’s visitation with the children. If the parent with primary physical custody proposes to move the children out of state, or to a distant part of Virginia, the other parent’s custodial and/or visitation rights can be adversely affected.

Relocation out of state, or to a distant part of Virginia, often adversely impacts the time the children are able to spend with the noncustodial parent. In any child custody case it is critical to establish jurisdiction — which court has authority over the child and the custody case. If you suspect the other parent will move out of the country, or out of the state, filing a custody case in Virginia can begin to provide you with some protections.

Act Quickly

Unfortunately, in a child relocation case, the other parent is frequently the last person to learn that his or her child may be relocated. Therefore, once a parent learns of a pending relocation of his or her child, it is imperative to act quickly in order to preserve the status quo pending a court’s determination of the matter.

The attorneys with The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C. will act quickly in order to seek an injunction and/or the immediate return of the child to Virginia, until such time as the court has an opportunity to hold a full hearing on the merits of the matter. If the circumstances warrant, the attorneys with The Reed Law Firm, P.L.L.C. are available to meet with you for a same day appointment, to review the circumstances of your particular case, and to discuss the various options available to you. If necessary, we can schedule evening or weekend appointments, if the circumstances of your case require such immediate action.

Schedule a Consultation

For further information about child custody and relocation cases, please contact us as soon as possible. If your case requires an immediate appointment, or a special evening or weekend appointment time, please advise us of this fact as soon as possible. We will make the arrangements necessary to accommodate an appointment or phone conference with you to discuss your case, and the best available options for you, as soon as possible.