Moving Away with a Child
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56d — the parent who wants to move proves a legitimate purpose and the child's best interests
After a custody judgment, a parent who wants to relocate with the child, where the move would significantly affect the parenting plan, has to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the move has a legitimate purpose, that the new location is reasonable for that purpose, and that the move is in the child's best interests.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- Each parent's reasons for seeking or opposing the move.
- The quality of the child's relationship with each parent.
- How the move would affect the quantity and quality of the child's contact with the other parent.
- How much the move would improve the lives of the moving parent and the child economically, emotionally and educationally.
- Whether the relationship with the other parent can be kept through visitation.
Sources for this section (1)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46b-56d — Relocation of parent with minor child. Burden of proof. Factors considered by court
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.