Hola!
So as the title says, I might need to move because the apartments around here are just too expensive, plus I got a new job offer. I currently have my two kids, and we’re dealing with a court situation where the judge ordered a GAL (because of drug use and abuse allegations against the dad). He’s refusing to sign off on it, so we go to court at the beginning of next month to move forward.
Here’s my question: when I was going for default divorce, we had geographic restrictions based on the county we got married in and surrounding counties. I didn’t ask for this; my lawyer just set it up. But now that we’re moving forward, I’m wondering if I can take a job offer in a county just outside of the restricted ones? Do I need to ask the judge first or can I move and then inform the courts? My lawyer hasn’t answered yet, and I’m stressing! This job would be a win for me and the kids, and it’s in a cheaper area. Any advice?
You can take the job, it’s moving that might be the issue. Can you live in one of the approved counties and work in the next one? That could solve the problem.
Ellery said:
So you don’t have a formal agreement restricting where you can live? And it was your lawyer who added the geographic restriction?
Yeah, nothing’s in writing or verbal yet. My lawyer drafted the restriction when we were going for default, but since my ex showed up, nothing got signed.
@Shannon
Since your side proposed the boundaries, it might count against you later. But for now, you’re not breaking any rules. Just be cautious moving forward.
Ellery said: @Shannon
Since your side proposed the boundaries, it might count against you later. But for now, you’re not breaking any rules. Just be cautious moving forward.
But no one’s even seen those proposed boundaries, right? We never got to the point of presenting them because he showed up.
It’s about a 1.5-2 hour drive. The kids’ dad is couch-surfing right now and lives almost 1.5 hours away too. Funny enough, if I move, I’ll actually be closer to him (though it’s unintentional, just for work), but still outside the restricted counties.
Ellery said: @Shannon
So you never actually submitted the boundaries to the court or your ex?
Nope. We were about to, but when he showed up, we shifted focus and submitted for a GAL instead. He’s refusing to sign the paperwork for the GAL, so we have a hearing next month to get the judge to approve it.
The hearing to approve the GAL is early November. We haven’t even gotten to custody discussions yet because he’s dragging things out and thinks not signing stuff will stop the process.