The current trend is for courts to prohibit a parent (when both parents are living in Arizona) from relocating their children if the other parent objects, unless the moving parent can prove that such a move would be in the child's best interests, and not just for the benefit or desire of the parent seeking to move. Consequently, long-distance moves made without good reason, to discourage access by the other parent, to pursue a romance, etc., are often denied. The courts cannot keep an adult from moving, but they can order that the children remain with the non-moving parent.
State law requires the moving parent to give written notice, at least 60 days in advance of the move, that he or she will be permanently relocating the child. If the non-moving parent objects, that parent must petition the court to prevent the move and a hearing will be scheduled. The court will determine if the relocation of the child is in the child's best interests, and the child is usually not allowed to move until the hearing is held.
If a relocation is approved, either by agreement of the parents or by the Court, changes to legal decision-making and parenting time
orders and changes to child support
orders normally would be necessary, and our firm could assist with that, also.