A seasoned Laguna Niguel move-away lawyer can guide parents through the process of relocating when child custody and parenting time are at stake. Move-away disputes occur when a proposed relocation conflicts with an existing child custody order or visitation schedule.
Complexities of the parenting schedule, logistical concerns, and the child’s established routine are often taken into account in such cases. Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, represents Laguna Niguel parents with relocation concerns and questions about how a proposed move would affect an existing custody order.

Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP has over 100 years of combined experience in litigation, including in contested custody cases and move-away disputes. Our firm has been recognized in Orange County for its family law practice by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and U.S. News & World Report.
The attorneys at Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP frequently handle move-away cases in the Orange County Superior Court and leverage that experience to carefully analyze parenting plans, custody orders, and relocation matters affecting families.
Move-away issues can also arise during a custody case. If a request to relocate is made during a case, it could affect temporary orders, mediation, or the negotiation of a parenting plan. Relocation may change the way an interim schedule works or whether the existing order is workable.
Custodial issues provide context for understanding why move-away cases are common. Custody arrangements are most often made up of one custodial parent. As a rough estimate, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that of 13.9 million custodial parents in the United States, 78.2% are mothers and 21.8% are fathers.
Relocation cases often arise when a custodial parent seeks to move away with a child. As a result, courts will sometimes need to consider how a proposed move will affect pending custody issues and the details of a standing order regarding parenting time.
Relocation disputes can arise from logistical life changes and may not be the result of an intentional attempt to create conflict with the other parent. Job transfers, new job opportunities, or housing changes could lead a parent to move with a child.
The proposed move may be reasonable or justifiable from the parents’ perspective, for career advancement or financial reasons. Even a fair relocation proposal could influence the arrangements of existing custody and visitation schedules.
The court is primarily concerned with how the move would affect the child’s day-to-day life and how it would affect the other parent’s parenting time. Laguna Niguel parents are encouraged to carefully consider how changes to employment and housing interplay with existing custody orders.
One primary concern in move-away cases is whether parenting time can work logistically after relocation. Distance may impact school schedules, extracurricular activities, travel time, and the regular communication between a parent and a child. Courts will sometimes consider whether alternative schedules that include extended holiday or vacation visits are practical. Other considerations that a court may consider are:
For parents in Laguna Niguel, questions about whether to allow relocation often focus on what parenting time would look like on a practical, day-to-day basis if the move is granted, as well as transportation, travel logistics, and the consistency of parent-child contact.
Move-away cases are frequent in divorce because parenting plans have to change as circumstances change. As reported by the CDC, there are about 2.4 divorces per 1,000 people in the United States. A divorce by itself does not create a move-away case. The post-divorce transition phase typically necessitates a relocation discussion, which may lead to court proceedings.
Extended family relationships can be relevant details in relocation disputes. The court may consider the extent to which a move impacts a child’s relationship with extended family, caregivers, or other support systems. These factors would be considered alongside school stability, parenting schedules, and logistics, among others, and not as a single determining factor in a relocation case.
Relocation does not always mean a change in custody in Laguna Niguel, CA. The court’s emphasis is on the impact of the proposed move on the child and on current custody or parenting time. Sometimes, parenting schedules are modified to accommodate the distance, rather than changing custody. Each case turns on its facts, including the realities of maintaining the same level of contact with both parents when one parent relocates.
While the motivation for a proposed move is a relevant consideration, it is not considered in isolation. The court is primarily concerned with the impact the move would have on the child and the current parenting arrangements, rather than with the parents’ reasons for relocating. Motivation is usually less important than the practical implications of the move, including its impact on the parenting schedule and the ability to maintain contact.
Child relocation can raise challenging custody and parenting time concerns. Laguna Niguel move away lawyers can help parents understand how requests to move are determined and how parenting time will be impacted in the context of a request.
Quinn & Dworakowski, LLP, works with parents throughout Orange County in move-away cases involving custody and visitation disputes. We can help clients navigate the legal landscape involved in these cases. We can provide the clarity and support you need.
Book a consultation to hire a trusted move-away lawyer. Together, we can discuss your situation and clarify the legal issues if you are considering moving or responding to a relocation request.
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