Are there any circumstances where I would legally be able to move my children out of state?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Are there any circumstances where I would legally be able to move my children out of state?

I live with a verbally and physically abusive husband. I don’t have my own income right now, and don’t have any family here. I want to move to Virginia to be with my family (I live in Missouri now) and live with them so I can support my kids. My husband barely pays the bills, and now the landlord is threatening to evict us if we don’t get caught up on rent.

Asked on November 21, 2012 under Family Law, Missouri

Answers:

M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

Since there is no custody order yet in effect, you have the legal right to move out of state and take your children with you. However, your husband can go to court and file for custody in your current state. In theory, you can file for custody in your new state but only after you have established residency there (typically it takes 6 months). In the meantime, if your husband files first, you can be forced to return with the children. If you don't, you could be charged with parental kidnapping.

The best thing for you to do is to file for custody now before you leave. If the court finds that a move is in the children's best interests, you will be awarded temporary custody and once you file for divorce a final custody order will be awarded.

In the meantime, if your husband is being physically abusive to you and/or your children, you can go to court and request an order of protection. This will result in his being rmoved from your home. You can then file for custody and, hopefully, within a short time relocate to be with your family.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption