My ex and I divorced almost a year ago. There is significant difference in our salaries and the child support payments are very minimal (<$300/mo) for our two kids. It is very difficult for me to make ends meet each week and have significant debt since the divorce. We currently have 50/50 joint custody. I have been offered a job 800 miles away and until the other night my ex was open to moving assuming he could find a job. This job brings his and my salary to about equal and it is a huge career move for myself. I need to make a decision soon regarding the job offer and I don't know if accepting it would jeopardize custody issues with the kids.
The kids are 4 and 6 (PK and 1st grade) and in our current situation we rely on my family to support watching them before and after school hours until we can get off of work during the week. I'm concerned that with the kids starting up school again soon and my family's support will put him in favor for sole custody if I take this job opportunity.
My question is: Is advancing my career and increasing my income enough leverage to request the move out of state and bring the kids with me? Are there other options that I'm unaware of? What is it that I need to show to a court that the kids moving with me is in their best interest? Can we still have 50/50 custody even if I move 800 miles away?
Thanks.
The kids are 4 and 6 (PK and 1st grade) and in our current situation we rely on my family to support watching them before and after school hours until we can get off of work during the week. I'm concerned that with the kids starting up school again soon and my family's support will put him in favor for sole custody if I take this job opportunity.
My question is: Is advancing my career and increasing my income enough leverage to request the move out of state and bring the kids with me? Are there other options that I'm unaware of? What is it that I need to show to a court that the kids moving with me is in their best interest? Can we still have 50/50 custody even if I move 800 miles away?
Thanks.