Life might be somewhat easier if most things stayed the same, but the reality for most people in Oregon is that change happens. However, big life changes can be somewhat more complicated for divorced parents. This is especially true when that big change involves an out-of-state move. Whether for employment or personal reasons, moving out of state leaves most divorced parents wondering how their child custody agreement will be affected.
The case is not necessarily clear-cut when it comes to parents moving out of state. While the focus of any child custody arrangement should still be the child’s best interests, exactly what those best interests are becomes rapidly more complex to determine. Even if the move might have certain benefits for the child, the parent who is remaining in Oregon still has certain parental rights that are not negated by the move.
These are not the only issues that can complicate an interstate custody issue, all of which must be addressed under the UCCJEA, or the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. The UCCJEA applies to custody matters in which divorced parents do not reside within the same state. It also determines which state’s laws will ultimately have jurisdiction over the matter.
Virtually no parent in Oregon wants to disrupt the well-being of his or her child. Handling interstate child custody is no small matter, and we understand the emotional toll that trying to figure it out can take on families. We take the well-being of our clients seriously and commit ourselves to guiding parents and their children towards the best solution possible.
