What to do when your ex wants to move away with your children

Whether it is for work or to go live with a new boyfriend courts will almost always grant move-away requests as there is very little reason for them not to. If you find out your ex is looking to move away and take your children it is up to you to make a point of it not happening. You’ll have to plead your case as to why this is not ideal for your children (namely they won’t see their father as often).

The important thing is to make your case first.

Your Ex Has already Moved Away and Taken Your Children Without Your Consent

If after being granted joint-custody, or visitation your ex-spouse responds by running away with you children to another city, or hides out in a women’s refuge you still have the right of access to your children. Unfortunately in order for the warrant to be issued you will need to know the exact address where you wife is.

Finding the location where she is hiding your children from you can be tricky, the authorities most likely already know her whereabouts (in-fact she may be receiving some form of ‘Domestic Purpose Benefit’ or ‘Children’s Aid’ covering her expenses while staying in the women’s refuge) but they will not release that information to you. This limits your options, some men have had success with private investigators, others have gotten the information from mutual friends of theirs and their ex’s. Either way if you do find out where she is – DO NOT personally go confront her. Instead, follow the correct legal procedures and have a warrant issued.

It is unlikely that she will ever be charged for failing to adhere to the original court-ruling, and if she does her penalty will be at best a slap on the wrist. Don’t take her lack of having to face the consequences of her actions as a sign that you wouldn’t – men who take their children are instantly deemed kidnappers and will be hunted down by the police and jailed. As said before, the legal system has already picked a side and it isn’t yours, don’t play into their hand. Follow the law even when she doesn’t. If she is going to try to take your children from you again, she will most likely do the most heinous thing imaginable: concoct an image of you as an abuser.