Relocation Criteria Explained

In affirming the grant of father’s petition to relocate with the child, the Third Department explained the criteria:

The party seeking to relocate with a child – here, the father – bears the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the credible evidence that the relocation is in the child’s best interests … .  Family Court must consider a number of relevant factors in making this determination, including “‘each parent’s reasons for seeking or opposing the move, the quality of the relationships between the child and the custodial and noncustodial parents, the impact of the move on the quantity and quality of the child’s future contact with the [nonmoving] parent, the degree to which the [moving] parent’s and child’s life may be enhanced economically, emotionally and educationally by the move, and the feasibility of preserving the relationship between the [non-moving] parent and child through suitable visitation arrangements'” … .  Notably, as “Family Court is in the best position to make factual findings and credibility determinations, its decision will not be disturbed if it is supported by a sound and substantial basis in the record” … .  Matter of Cole v Reynolds, 514712, 3rd Dept 10-24-13