Call 602-296-3434 to speak with a lawyer about your
interstate child custody dispute today!

Interstate Child Custody Disputes

Child custody matters are always complicated—even when divorced parents live relatively close to each other and get along amicably. We assist clients whose relationships with their children have been complicated by one parent’s relocation to another state.

The Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) was enacted in 1997 to prevent confusion about child custody across state lines and as a method to discourage parental kidnapping. According to the UCCJEA, in the State of Arizona, if a parent who shares joint legal custody desires to relocate to another state, or move more than 100 miles away from their current residence, they must provide 60 days notice to the other parent. At that time the other parent may petition the Court to prevent the relocation.

In interstate custody matters, the UCCJEA allows courts to enforce interstate custody to ensure that your children’s best interests are protected. However, it must be determined which court has jurisdiction. Our experienced family law attorneys at Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Schoenau, PLC will guide you through the hearing process to determine jurisdiction and fight aggressively to ensure that your child custody and visitation rights are upheld.

Long Distance Child Visitation
If the primary custody parent relocates several states away from the non-custodial parent, it can be difficult to arrange for visitation. In drafting a new visitation agreement, it helps to take into account the price of airfare, time off work, and other details which might impact visiting your children. Our interstate custody attorneys will help you initiate a child custody visitation agreement which benefits you and your children.

Paternity
If you have not yet established paternity and would like to arrange child support and child custody, our knowledgeable family law attorneys can help! If your children have been taken out of state before paternity has been established, we can help ensure that your visitation rights are honored by helping you acquire a test for paternity.

Interstate child custody issues can be very complicated, but our experienced attorneys at Cates, Hanson, Sargeant & Schoenau, PLC have the necessary knowledge and skills to seek a resolution which works in you and your child’s best interests.

Call 602-296-3434 to speak with an experienced lawyer about your
long distance child visitation rights.