Can I move out of state with my child if I have sole custody?

In Washington, if you have sole legal custody of your child, you generally have the right to move out of state with your child provided you comply with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. The purpose of this act is to protect the welfare of children whose parents move from state to state. Before you decide to move, you must provide written notification to everyone entitled to court-ordered or parental rights concerning the proposed move. This means that, if the other parent has parental rights to the child, you must inform them of your plans to move. If the other parent does not agree with the move, they may oppose the relocation in court and seek either a modified visitation schedule or a permanent relocation order from the court. Additionally, the court may require you to provide proof that moving is in the best interest of your child, such as evidence of better employment opportunities, educational opportunities, improved living conditions, or other factors that would benefit the child. Finally, you may also be subject to post-relocation visitation enforcement if the other parent brings a motion in court to have the court enforce their visitation rights. If the court finds that enforcing visitation rights is in the best interest of the child, then the court may order the parent to return the child to Washington for the other parent to have visitation rights. In conclusion, you may move out of state with your child if you have sole custody, but you must comply with the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act and may face opposition from the other parent or the court if they find the relocation to be an adverse effect on the child.

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Can I move out of state with my child if I have sole custody?

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