Child Custody Battles and Relocation Nightmares: What Parents Need to Know

Lawyers Without Billboards

If you're a parent considering a move after divorce - or if you're already dealing with a custody agreement - you need to listen to this episode before you pack a single box.

In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, attorneys Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, and Alexa Lewis from Shewmaker & Lewis dive into one of the most emotionally and legally complex topics in family law: child custody modifications due to relocation.

Whether the move is across town or across the country, changing a child's living situation can trigger major legal consequences, especially when there's a custody order in place. This episode covers real-world relocation scenarios - from military reassignments to spontaneous life changes - and explains what not to do when you’re planning a move with your child.

👂 You’ll learn:

• Why relocation custody cases often cost more than the original divorce
• How Georgia judges assess “best interests of the child” in relocation matters
• The consequences of moving without notifying the other parent
• What to do when the non-custodial parent relocates
• How child support and parenting time are affected by relocation
• The importance of calling a family law attorney before making a move

📍 Whether you're a co-parent, military family, or simply navigating post-divorce transitions, this episode offers crucial insights for avoiding costly mistakes and protecting your parental rights.

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more.

👉 Visit us at https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com for legal resources, case consultations, and future podcast updates.

📍 Recorded in Atlanta, GA | Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, Family Law Attorneys

Chapter Markers | Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Nacho Joke Callback
01:47 – Custody vs. Divorce: The Emotional & Financial Stakes
03:14 – Teenagers, Custody, and the Catlike Phase
04:10 – Why Relocation Cases Are So Expensive
05:07 – The High School Sweetheart Move to Ohio
06:08 – When Clients Tell You *Before* They Move
07:01 – The Case That Lost Custody Due to Delay
08:10 – Patty as Guardian ad Litem: When the Move “Stuck”
09:39 – Judges, Punishment, and Best Interests of the Child
10:24 – The Texas Move: What Not to Do
11:14 – Why Relocation Is So Painful & Unpredictable
12:03 – Even In-State Moves Can Trigger Custody Challenges
13:22 – When the Non-Custodial Parent Moves
14:26 – Modifying Visitation and Parenting Schedules
15:02 – Do Judges Care *Why* You're Moving?
16:10 – Child Support Adjustments & Retroactive Deviations
17:03 – Final Thoughts: Always Call a Lawyer Before You Move
18:46 – Quick Tease: International Custody & Hague Convention
19:49 – Hero of the Week: Attorney Rebecca McLaw
21:08 – Outro

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