I screwed up my own divorce. I admit it. If one reads my initial final divorce decree, the lack of planning is palpably clear. The settlement agreement only addressed a perfect divorced world where we lived in the same town and nothing ever changed.

When circumstances did change and I remarried, my ex suddenly no longer wanted to remain so far from her family and so close to my new wife.  Well, truth was that I really did not want to remain in that town either, so I did not object through the legal process.  She moved far, far away.

I put 100,000 miles on a car in two years, driving to see my kids.  When it finally became clear that I could not maintain that pace, I asked my ex to agree to split the costs or meet me halfway for visitation.  The answer was something to the effect that she would not agree to anything and that “the Judge will have to make me.”

Back to the question at hand.  If you are the custodial parent and you want to move the children a significant distance from the non-custodial parent and they don’t agree, you can ask the court for an order granting permission.  However, you are going to have to show the judge how moving is in your children’s best interests.  That is what my Momma calls, ” a tough row to hoe.”  However, it’s not impossible…just difficult.  Back to my story.

So, six months, and $5k in attorney’s fees later, we’re meeting in Gulfport for the visitation exchange.  Oh, those were just my attorney fees.  I have no idea what hers cost her.

Point being, having an advocate with experience in living mistakes (like me) can be literally worth its weight in gold.  Knowing the pitfalls and shortcomings of a shortsighted divorce settlement agreement can save you a lot of heartache in the future.  Give me a call at (251) 445-0891 or shoot me an email at ron@mcbaylaw.com and let’s talk about how I can help you.

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