If you are planning to move abroad with your children to live permanently you must ensure that you have the consent of the other parent who has parental responsibility.  If you do not have their consent then an order for leave to remove the children from the jurisdiction of England & Wales should be sought from the court to ensure that you are not committing an offence of child abduction.

It is important that any such application on behalf of the children is prepared thouroughly as you are only likely to get one chance to make the application.  As such applications require specialist advice and representation and a detailed plan for the future of the family should be formulated, to include:

• Details of specific schools and future education for the children.
• Details of where the family will live and how any property purchase or rental is to be funded.
• Details of work and long term career opportunities and how the family will be supported financially.
• Details of any relevant visa requirements and how any language barriers will be overcome.
• How the effect of the change in circumstances will be managed, and how the move will ultimately benefit the children in the longer term.
• Details of the proposed contact between the children and the absent parent, and how any flights are to be funded.
• How the children feel about any proposed move and their views, in light of their age and understanding.
• A plan for what will happen if the relocation does not work out as planned.

Please telephone us on 02380 713 060 for more specialist advice in this area.