Relocation cases may involve disputes whether relocation should occur, as well as questions concerning scheduling, cost, and communication issues if relocation is permitted. These matters often require consideration of practical arrangements that must function across distance and daily life.
How Mediation Helps In This Context
Discussion often allows participants to evaluate proposed relocation plans and the practical implications of relocations by considering schedules, travel, and communication in light of school calendars, work obligations, and distance. They can test how different arrangements would function in practice, including transitions, holiday schedules, and responsibilities for travel.
Participants often also consider how changes in residence affect related issues, including time-sharing, communication, and decision-making, and how those effects can be structured to maintain consistency and reduce disruption.
Common Issues
- Whether relocation is appropriate under the circumstances
- Distance, travel, and transportation logistics
- Time-sharing adjustments and holiday schedules
- School location and continuity
- Communication methods and frequency
- Allocation of travel costs and responsibilities
Some Considerations For Counsel Preparing For Mediation
- Identify the reasons supporting or opposing the relocation
- Identify relevant school calendars, work schedules, and travel considerations
- Consider proposed time-sharing arrangements in light of distance and logistics
- Identify responsibilities for transportation and associated costs
- Consider how communication and coordination will be maintained across locations