By Carlos Turini – Accredited Family Law Specialist
When a parent moves with a child away from the other parent to another town or state or even to another country, he/she must obtain permission (leave) from the Family Court. In family law terminology, such a move is known as “relocation”.
In the event that leave is not obtained, the Court will normally require the parent and child that moved away to return until such time as the matter may be properly considered in a final hearing. If the child is not relocating a long distance away and the relocation will not affect the frequency and length of visits between the child and the parent staying behind the court may not require that leave be granted.
At the final hearing, the Court must consider a number of matters before it decides if it will grant leave to relocate. A list of other matters is found in different sections of the Family Law Act. Others are identified in reported decisions by the Full Court of the Family Court and also by the High Court. The best interest of a child is the paramount consideration in every case. However, that is not the sole consideration.
What if you need to relocate?
If your children mainly live with you and you need to relocate, you should first try to talk to the other party. You may be able to reach agreement with the other party on how you will ensure the children can still have a meaningful relationship with both parents. If you reach agreement with the other party, it is best to enter into a written parenting plan (between parents only) or apply for consent orders before you move. Unlike a parenting order parenting plans are not legally enforceable. elringtons can help you with advice on both parenting plans and parenting orders.
What if you can’t agree about relocation?
If you cannot agree, you can apply to a court for a relocation order to allow you to move. The Court may not grant permission. The best interests of the children will be the first consideration.
If the other party wants to take the children away and you do not agree, you can apply for an order to stop the relocation of the children.
elringtons can give you advice on how to apply to a court to relocate or to prevent relocation.
Amendments introduced to the Family Law Act in July 2006, created new important considerations for the court which are particularly relevant in relocation matters. To mention just three of these matters:
- One “primary” consideration is: “the benefit to the child of having a meaningful relationship with both of the child’s parents”
- A new “legal presumption” in every case that the parents of a child will have shared parental responsibility for the child;
- Another new legal presumption that each parent will spend equal time with the child.
A recent decision of the Full Court, Taylor and Barker [2007], gives some guidelines about the current state of the law regarding relocation matters. In that case, the mother was granted leave to relocate with her eleven year old son away from the child’s father. The Full Court quoted with approval the judgement of Federal Magistrate Brewster as follows:
“(a) The best interests of the child are the paramount consideration but are not the sole consideration. In particular, rights of freedom of movement are not to be ignored.
(b) An applicant for orders permitting relocation need not show compelling reasons before such an order will be made. Indeed, neither party bears an onus; that is to say neither parent has the onus to establish that a change in current contact arrangements or a continuation of those arrangements will best promote the interests of a child.
(c) The reasons for a parent wishing to relocate with a child is only one of the matters to be considered and it should not be dealt with as a separate issue.
(d) I must identify the competing proposals and evaluate how each proposal will hold advantages and disadvantages insofar as the best interests of the child are concerned.
(e) I am to indicate which matters are of greater weight and explain how matters balance out.”
Brewster FM considered each of the different matters listed in the legislation. He concluded that: ”the child has a meaningful relationship with his father and: “… in my opinion, he will continue to have a meaningful relationship with his father even if face to face contact is confined to school holiday periods.”
The decision of Taylor and Barker [2007] gives us a glimpse of how a Court may approach a relocation case.
These matters are complex and the Court will deal with each case on its facts.
For more information or to make an appointment in either our Canberra or Queanbeyan office please contact:
p: (02) 6206 1300 | e: cturini@elringtons.com.au
