If your ex wants to move your children to a new location within the United Kingdom, and you don’t want them to move, here are some steps you can follow to prevent the move.
- It is important to remember that your ex doesn’t not need your permission to move to a new area with your children in the UK, even if you have parental responsibility, but your ex does need your permission to change the child’s school so unless you have concerns about the new school or you have proof that the move is to make you having contact with your children difficult, you can’t necessarily prevent the move as courts don’t like to restrict freedom of movement.
- Mediation. You may find mediation useful to express your concerns with your ex about the move, such as the child moving school may be stressful for them or you are worried about what level of contact you’ll get with your child. . Remember to give your ex a chance to speak and let them answer any questions you may have for them. Go in to mediation as open minded as you can and think about what’s best for your children.
- If you really wish to stop the move you can apply for a prohibited steps order to stop your child being moved to a different area and school but you will need to have valid reasons as to why you wish to stop the move, such as you believe your ex is trying to move to restrict the amount of contact you will get with your child. You will need to explain why you think the move is not in the best interest of your child. Your application may not be successful if the court believe the move is in the best interest of the child such as if your ex has been offered a new job that pays more, and as stated before courts don’t life to restrict freedom of movement.
Click here to read more about a Prohibited steps order.
