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CA child custody laws, parent's right to move out of state with child

Asked over 3 years ago - San Francisco, CA

If a couple are current residents of the state of California and they are separated but have not sought legal counsel, can one of the parents take the children and move out of state? Does the other parent have any legal recourse to prevent such a move?

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My wife tricked me into moving our family to Nebraska where her family lives to obtain custody of our daughter nd stay in Nebraska. I agreed to move to Nebraska on a trial basis and to find work as both myself and my wife were laid off from our jobs in California. Approximately one week after we arrived in Nebraska, she told me she wanted a divorce and filed for legal separation. She wants to keep my daughter there, however, I want her back in California with me. Is this possible? Does my wife have the right to keep my daughter in Nebraska?

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Attorney answers (2)

Alan Roel Rothstein

Reputation Level 13

Answered about 3 years ago. Family Law Attorney in Daly City, CA.

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Getting legal counsel has no bearing on this problem. If there have been no court proceedings concerning the child a custodial parent (with whom the child lives) can relocate with the child. The governing law in all 50 states is called the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. Even after the parent moves with the child, California remains the child's home state until the child has lived in another state for six months. At that time the new state would become the child's home state. What this means is that a child being moved from California does not deprive the court in California from dealing with the custody and the parent left behind can ask the California Court, in your case, the Unified Family Court in San Francisco, to change custody to the parent left behind and order the parent wh0o moved to return the child to California and adjudicate custody proceedings. You should consult an attorney who has knowledge of and experience with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

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Marshall William Waller

Reputation Level 14

Answered about 3 years ago. Divorce / Separation Lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA.

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To add to Mr. Rothstein's answer, you do have the ability to commence an action regarding custody with the Superior Court and seek primary custody and the right to relocate with the child. This is a major undertaking, however, very difficult without an attorney.

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