Missouri Relocation Requirements
According to a Missouri statute, any parent who wants to relocate must send a certified letter to another parent 60 days before the proposed move. The certified letter must contain certain information to be valid:- Where you intend to move: This includes the address and telephone number if you know them. If you do not know them, you must provide the city and state, as well as the date you intend to move.
- A brief statement of the reason you want to move your children: Many parents state reasons such as finding higher paying jobs that will allow the children better lifestyles as a result.
- A proposal for a new schedule of custody or visitation: If custody and visitation will be affected, a reasonable schedule should be outlined in the letter.
What to Do if You Have Received a Certified Letter in Missouri?
If you have received a letter like this from your child’s other parent, you have only a limited time — 30 days — to object. To do so, you must file a formal objection with the court, which prevents the parent from moving unless the judge holds a hearing on the matter. Failure to do so may mean that you have waived your right to object to the move.At Stange Law Firm, PC, we represent parents in matters of relocation. Our attorneys can draft documents, file motions and represent clients at hearings. As lawyers who focus solely on family law, we know how the law may affect parents. When parents are concerned about the cost of fighting relocation, we often remind them that the law prevents parents from being penalized and ordered to pay attorney’s fees if they file a timely objection in good faith.If your child’s parent has moved without permission, you may be able to get an emergency pick-up order to have the child brought back. Talk with our attorneys about your options.Illinois Relocation Requirements
Under Illinois law, there is an important distinction between whether a party is moving or relocating. This can be somewhat confusing and is defined as follows:A parent is merely moving if he or she seeks to move the children- less than 25 miles from the child’s current primary residence in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will Counties;
- less than 50 miles from the child’s current primary residence in any other county;
- to a residence outside Illinois, that is less than 25 miles from the child’s current primary residence in any county.
- more than 25 miles from the child’s current primary residence in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will Counties;
- more than 50 miles from the child’s current primary residence in any other Illinois county;
- to a residence outside Illinois, that is more than 25 miles from the current residence from the child’s current primary residence in any county.
- the date you plan to move,
- your new address (if known),
- whether the relocation will be permanent or temporary and, if temporary, its expected duration.