10 Key Reasons a Judge Might Deny Parental Relocation

Relocating with your child after a divorce or custody arrangement isn’t as simple as packing boxes and booking a moving truck. If you share custody, the court has a say in whether you can move. Judges don’t take these decisions lightly, and their focus is always on what’s best for the child. So, if you’re considering a move, it’s important to know the reasons a judge might say no.

At Jackman Law Firm, we’ve helped parents through these tough situations, and we understand how stressful they can be. If you’re thinking about moving with your child, knowing the common reasons courts deny these requests can help you plan ahead and build a strong case.

1. It Will Hurt the Child’s Relationship with the Other Parent

Courts want to make sure children maintain strong, meaningful relationships with both parents whenever possible. If moving will make that difficult, a judge might deny your request.

Long-distance parenting can be tough. Regular visits become more expensive and complicated, and video calls aren’t the same as in-person time. If the move will make it harder for the other parent to stay actively involved, a judge may see that as a problem.

A strong relationship with both parents is a big deal in custody cases. If your move threatens that connection, expect some pushback from the court.

2. Your Reason for Moving Doesn’t Hold Up

Judges take a close look at why you want to move. If it seems like you’re relocating just to put distance between your child and their other parent, that’s a red flag.

Legitimate reasons for moving include:

• A better job opportunity
• Being closer to extended family for support
• Improved educational opportunities for your child

On the other hand, if the court thinks your move is more about personal preference or making co-parenting harder, they’re more likely to deny it.

3. The Move Could Harm Your Child’s Well-Being

Your child’s happiness and stability are at the heart of the court’s decision. If moving means pulling them away from a great school, friends, family, or important activities, the judge might decide it’s not in their best interest.

Other factors courts look at include:

• The safety of the new location
• The quality of schools
• Whether the move would disrupt medical care or special needs services

If the move would make things harder for your child rather than better, expect a judge to say no.

4. You Can’t Show How the Move Helps Your Child

When you ask the court to approve a relocation, it’s your responsibility to prove that the move benefits your child. That means showing real evidence, not just saying it will be better.

This evidence could include:

• Job offer letters
• School rankings
• Cost-of-living comparisons

If you can’t provide solid proof that this move is the right choice for your child, the judge might not approve it.

5. Your Parenting Plan is Too Weak

A solid parenting plan is key to getting a relocation approved. The court wants to see a plan that lays out exactly how visitation will work, how travel costs will be handled, and how the child will stay connected to both parents.

A weak or vague plan—especially one that doesn’t account for travel logistics—can be a deal-breaker. Judges need to see that your move won’t make things unfair or unworkable for the other parent.

6. You Have a History of Ignoring Court Orders

If you’ve missed child support payments, refused visitation, or ignored other court orders, don’t be surprised if the judge questions whether you’ll stick to a new parenting plan after the move.

A history of non-compliance can be a major strike against your relocation request. Courts want to see responsible, cooperative co-parenting, not a pattern of disregarding legal agreements.

7. Stability Matters and Your Child Already Has It

Judges know that stability is one of the best things for kids. If your child is thriving where they are—a good school, strong friendships, close family ties—the court might hesitate to disrupt that.

If everything in their life is going well, the question becomes: why change it? Unless you have a compelling reason for the move, the judge may decide to keep things as they are.

8. Shared Custody Makes Relocation Complicated

If you and your co-parent have a 50/50 custody arrangement, relocating becomes a bigger issue. A move could throw off the entire balance of shared parenting.

In these cases, judges are even more cautious about approving relocations. They don’t want to take time away from a parent who’s actively involved in their child’s life.

9. You Didn’t Follow the Right Legal Steps

Washington law requires parents to follow specific steps when requesting a relocation. If you don’t file the correct paperwork or notify the other parent properly, the court could reject your request based on procedure alone.

It’s critical to follow every legal requirement to the letter. Missing a deadline or failing to provide proper notice can sink your case before it even starts.

10. Your Child’s Preference (If They’re Old Enough to Have One)

Judges take a child’s opinion into account, especially if they’re older. If your child doesn’t want to move and can explain why, the court may weigh that heavily in their decision.

This doesn’t mean a child gets the final say, but their thoughts do matter. If they have strong ties to their current home and don’t want to leave, that could influence the court’s ruling.

Facing a Relocation Battle? Jackman Law Firm Can Help

Moving with your child after a custody agreement is never simple, and courts don’t approve these requests automatically. If you’re considering relocation, you need a strong case backed by solid reasoning and a detailed plan.

At Jackman Law Firm, we know how high the stakes are. We’ve helped parents in Washington fight for their right to relocate—and we’ve also helped parents protect their time with their children when relocation isn’t in the child’s best interest.

If you’re facing a relocation dispute, don’t wait. Call us today at 206-558-5555 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule a consultation. We’re here to guide you through this challenging process and fight for the best outcome for you and your child.