Palatine Parental Relocation Lawyer

Illinois Child Removal Attorney Handling Your Parental Relocation Issues

When subject to a Parenting Agreement or a parenting time schedule, you may find bettering your life difficult. You undoubtedly love your children dearly and want what is best for them, but you may be extremely limited by your current situation. Opportunities for improvement may require you to consider moving with your child to a new town, and in some cases, outside of Illinois.

Attorney Nicholas W. Richardson is a family lawyer in Palatine with more than 15 years of experience helping divorced, separated, or unmarried parents seek a better life through parental relocation. He is also equipped to assist parents in protecting their relationships with their children by contesting relocations when necessary. No matter what side of a relocation concern you may be on, The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. will work with you throughout the process.

Illinois Law Regarding Parental Relocation

In some cases, a parent may move to a new home without the move constituting a parental relocation as described in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (IMDMA). According to the law, a parental relocation is defined as any move by a parent with primary residential responsibility for a child from a residence in:

• Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will Counties to new residence in Illinois that is more than 25 miles away
• Any other Illinois county to a new residence in Illinois that is more than 50 miles away
• A residence in any Illinois county to a new residence outside of Illinois that is more than 25 miles away

All parental relocations require either the consent of the non-relocating parent or the overriding approval of the court following a review of the circumstances surrounding the intended move.

Legal Counsel for Relocation Proceedings

Attorney Richardson recognizes the importance of making the most of available opportunities. He also realizes the significance of both parents maintaining an active role in a child's life. Finding the right balance in your family situation can be extremely challenging, but Attorney Richardson is committed to helping you reach a resolution that protects the rights of both parents and serves the child's needs as well.

In making a determination regarding parental relocation, the court must take into account a number of relevant factors, including but not limited to:

• Reasons for the intended move and the other parent's objections
• History of the relationship between the child and each parent, including the assumption of parental responsibilities
• Education and extended family interactions available at the current and intended locations
• How the move will impact the child
• If and how the allocation of parental responsibilities can be modified to accommodate the relocation
• Wishes of the child, as appropriate due to age and maturity
• Minimizing the negative impact on the parent-child relationship caused by the relocation

If the parental relocation is approved, the court will also need to enter a corresponding modification to the order for the allocation of parental responsibilities. The modification will reflect the necessary changes to parenting time schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and appropriate transportation considerations.

Contact Our Rolling Meadows Parental Relocation Attorney

Contact The Law Office of Nicholas W. Richardson, P.C. if you are considering a move that would constitute a parental relocation. You will have the opportunity to discuss your situation, explore your options, and get the advice of a reliable, experienced family law attorney. Call 847.873.6741 to schedule your free initial consultation. Attorney Richardson is proud to serve the needs of clients in Palatine, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Barrington, Cook County, and DuPage County.