Family Law
Child Relocation Solicitors in Brighton
When one parent wants to move away with the children after separation, it can create one of the most difficult and emotional disputes in family law.
Family Law
Expert Guidance on Child Relocation Applications
Moving affects where children live, their relationship with both parents, their schools, friendships, and their entire support network. Whether you’re the parent who wants to relocate or the parent opposing it, you need expert legal advice to navigate this complex area.
Our Brighton-based family law team have extensive experience with child relocation cases, both domestic and international relocation. We understand the profound impact these decisions have on families, and our child relocation solicitors are here to provide clear advice, strong representation, and compassionate support throughout the process.
We act for
- Parents seeking to relocate within the UK
- Parents seeking to relocate internationally
- Parents opposing a proposed relocation
- Parents needing to vary an existing order
- Cases involving children with additional needs
The Law
What Is Child Relocation?
A child relocation occurs when a parent with whom a child lives wants to move to a new location, either domestically or abroad, and the move would significantly affect the other parent’s relationship with the child.
It can be internal relocation (moving to another part of the UK, e.g., Brighton to Manchester) or international relocation (moving abroad to another country, e.g., UK to Australia, Spain, USA, Dubai).
The key issue isn’t the distance, but the impact on the child and the other parent’s relationship with the child. A move of 50 miles might be more disruptive than a move of 200 miles if it affects school, contact arrangements, and the child’s established life. This is furthered if the child has additional needs which may make the change more challenging to them.
Do you need permission to move?
- If you have a child arrangements order stating the child lives with you, you need written consent or a court order from everyone with parental responsibility to move the child permanently to another country
- You also need consent to move domestically if it would breach the terms of the order
- If you don't have a child arrangements order, you should still seek consent or a court order before moving
- Moving without permission could be considered child abduction
The Court Process
How the Court Decides Relocation Applications
The court’s paramount consideration is always the welfare of the child. The court will consider all relevant circumstances, including the child’s wishes and feelings (depending on their age and maturity), the impact of the move on the child’s relationship with both parents, the reason for the proposed relocation, and the impact on the child’s schooling, friendships and support network.
We have extensive knowledge about what the court considers when these applications are made, allowing us to fully advise you and prepare your case to put your best position forward. This applies to not only during the court process, but also with correspondence with the other parent or their representative.
Throughout your case, we will
- Listen to your concerns and intentions
- Advise you on the merit of your case and your options, clearly
- Provide you with a transparent breakdown of the costs
- Keep you updated throughout as to the latest position
- Assist with negotiation and correspondence with the other party
- Discuss alternative methods to court resolution
- Draft consent orders and/or agreements to settle cases
- Represent you at court if proceedings are necessary