We Have Joint Custody, but I’ve Moved to Another State. Is It Wrong to Ask My Ex to Bring Our Child to Me?
We have joint custody in Nevada. I’m in California now. Is it wrong to ask them to take my child to me because of my location?
Do mean to ask, “Is it wrong to ask the other parent to do all traveling back and forth between the parents’ respective homes?” My answer is, unless there are exceptional circumstances that dictate otherwise, “no.” Not just “no,” but “no way!”
Making one parent pick up and drop off the child for every custody or parent-time is a tremendous burden on that parent’s time, money, and vehicle.
There are better, fairer ways to handle the situation, such as:
- having both parents drive to a mid-point between their respective residences for exchanges
- having one parent pick up and drop off for one exchange, then having the other parent pick up and drop off for the next exchange, and doing that for every other exchange
- If one parent bears the burden of all the traveling back and forth between the parents’ respective homes, then the other should compensate him/her for half of that parent’s fuel, meals, and vehicle wear and tear expenses. If the distance is long enough that it requires an overnight stay at a hotel, that expense should be included too.
Utah Family Law, LC | divorceutah.com | 801-466-9277
Tags: child custody, moving out of state