Bellevue Relocation Lawyers
Just a few years ago, when a residential parent under a Washington State parenting plan wished to move away from the geographical area in which the non-residential parent lived, there was almost nothing a Bellevue relocation lawyer could do about it. Because every person has a constitutional right to move, it was hard to object. Since then, the Washington State legislature has enacted laws that may prevent the relocation of a child under a parenting plan, thereby creating a role for a Bellevue relocation attorney.

Under these laws, any residential parent who wishes to relocate must first provide formal notice to the other parent. Bellevue relocation lawyers can explain the mandatory contents of this notice, as it includes new contact information, the reasons for the relocation, and the location of the child’s proposed new school. The non-relocating parent then has the opportunity to object to the relocation if done within a certain time. If you are served with a notice of relocation, you may think about contacting a Bellevue relocation attorney who can advise you of the next move. However, you do not necessarily need a Bellevue relocation lawyer to serve your objection, and you must object timely in order to preserve your rights thereafter. After the objections have been filed, an action to block relocation has begun. If your Bellevue relocation lawyer is not able to negotiate an agreement, the matter will go to trial. At trial, each Bellevue relocation lawyer will present evidence as to why or why not a child should not relocate, and the court will consider a list of factors provided in the statute to make a final decision. There is a presumption that the relocation shall occur unless the objecting parent can overcome this presumption.

Keep in mind that just because a child relocates does not mean that the non-relocating parent loses any parental rights. It means that visitation may be inconvenient; however, Bellevue relocation attorneys can help draft a new parenting plan that may mollify some of this inconvenience.

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