What happens if you’ve got a parenting plan in place, and you decide to relocate more than 50 miles away or across the state line? My most important piece of advice is talk to a lawyer.
In Tennessee there are very specific timelines about how things go, and it’s important to follow them carefully. You need to give written notice to your co-parent; and the statute says you should send the notice “not less than 60 days prior to the move” unless excused by the court for exigent circumstances.
This notice is to be mailed by certified mail and has to contain specific things: Statement of intent to move; Location of proposed new residence; Reasons for proposed relocation; and Statement that absent agreement between the parents or an objection by the non-relocating parent within thirty (30) days of the date notice is sent by registered or certified mail, the relocating parent will be permitted to do so by law.
If you send the notice, your next steps are either working out a new parenting plan if needed, or filing a petition for permission to relocate if the other parent objects or you can’t get an agreement on a new plan. DO NOT MOVE WITH THE CHILDREN until you have permission to do so. Call us! We can help.
If you receive a notice that your co-parent is moving, and you do not want that to happen, you should notify the co-parent that you object. You should also call a lawyer about what to do next.
