Nashville Relocation Lawyer

Relocation Attorney In Nashville, TN

When a major life change in the Music City requires you to move, it can impact your family legally as much as physically. If you’re a parent preparing to move into or out of Davidson County, consult a Nashville relocation lawyer. This is the most effective way to protect your parental rights.

Relocate the Right Way With Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal)

It’s common for many people to move to or from Tennessee, often for a new career opportunity or to be closer to family. In either case, successfully making this move requires you to closely follow Tennessee’s specific statutes.

If you try to take care of the legal aspects of moving without a lawyer’s help, you may make errors. Some mistakes can be so costly that they negatively impact how much time you can spend with your children. At Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal), we provide professional guidance that helps clients have a stable transition.

Understanding the Complexity of a Relocation Case

Data reveal that, in 2023, there were about 52,000 new residents in Tennessee. Millennials and Gen Z accounted for more than half of them. This population of people typically moved to areas with college campuses, live music venues, and active nightlife. Therefore, Knox, Murfreesboro, and the surrounding Nashville area were places of interest, with people seeking compact units near schools and hubs for nightlife activity.

For people moving in or out of Tennessee, a relocation case is rarely as simple as packing a truck and heading to a new zip code. In many cases, it can land in the Davidson County Circuit Court on Richard Fulton Way. If this is the case, you’ll have to appear in front of a judge, whose priority will be your child’s well-being.

The law aims to give fair attention and weight to a parent’s right to relocate and their child’s right to have a meaningful relationship with both parents. Therefore, a parent who decides to move more than 50 miles away or out of the state must provide formal notice. This triggers a window of time for the other parent to object. If an objection is filed, the court must then determine if the move has a reasonable purpose and would harm the child.

Factors the Court Evaluates in Tennessee

Courts look at children’s welfare as the most significant factor in a family law case. National data underscore the importance of courts doing so. In Fiscal Year 2023, 546,159 children were reported to be victims of abuse and neglect in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Any history of abuse or neglect serves as a threshold issue that must be addressed before relocation is considered. Judges don’t look for a winner or a loser in a relocation case. Instead, they look at:

• The quality of the relationship the child has with the parent who is moving away
• If the parent is moving away for professional reasons or out of spite, like trying to keep the child from the other parent
• How the move will affect the child’s education, social ties, or emotional well-being

Why You Should Hire a Relocation Lawyer

When you hire a relocation lawyer, they can take some of the stressful responsibility of your case off you. An effective attorney can prepare every filing, from the initial notice of intent to move to the proposed modified parenting plan, so that it is legally sound, according to the Tennessee relocation laws.

If you’re in this situation, take your case to a Nashville relocation attorney from Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal). Our legal team can draft a parenting plan that considers the realities of long-distance parenting. We can find appropriate solutions for anything from holiday travel to making your visitation schedules more flexible, for example, to accommodate school calendars in neighborhoods like Green Hills or East Nashville.

FAQs

What Is the Relocation Statute in Tennessee?

The relocation statute in Tennessee is Code 36-6-108. It requires a parent who wants to relocate outside of Tennessee or more than 50 miles away from the other parent to give them written notice through certified mail.

This notice must be sent at least 60 days before the move. It should tell the location of the new residence, along with the reason why they’re moving. It must also state that the other parent can file an objection within 30 days.

What Are Some Big Mistakes for Parents to Make in Custody Battles?

Some big mistakes for parents to make in custody battles include losing their temper or attempting to alienate the other parent. Another big mistake is speaking badly about the other parent when talking to the child. Blocking the other parent’s access to the child can be very damaging to a custody case, too. Judges value parents who show that they can co-parent, putting the child’s relationships with them both first.

At What Age Can a Child Decide Where to Live in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, there is no specific age at which a child can decide where to live. However, under Tennessee law, the court shall consider the reasonable preference of a child who is 12 years of age or older. While the judge must listen to the child’s preference, they are not legally required to follow it if they believe a different arrangement is in the child’s best interest.

How Can a Parent Succeed in a Relocation Custody Case in Tennessee?

A parent can succeed in a relocation custody case in Tennessee with meticulous preparation and a focus on the child’s best interest. Success often depends on proving that the move has a “reasonable purpose,” like a significant career advancement or being closer to a supportive family network. Also, it helps to prove that the relocation isn’t intended to harm the other parent’s relationship with the child.

Protect Your Child’s Future Today

At Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal), we serve the community with empathy and honesty. We provide the support and legal guidance families need to navigate state statutes and protect their interests in court.

Don’t leave your relationship with your child to chance. Contact our office for a legally sound strategy to prevent unnecessary stress and seek a stable future for your family.