PLEASE CHECK STATE CASE LAW AS STANDARDS FOR RELOCATION MAY
BE FOUND IN CASE LAW.
Burns Ind. Code Ann.
§ 31-9-2-84.6. Nonrelocating individual.
“Nonrelocating individual”, for purposes of IC 31-14-13 and IC 31-17-2.2,
means an individual who has, or has filed an action seeking:
(1)
custody of the child;
(2)
parenting time with the child; or
(3)
visitation with the child under IC 31-17-5.
§ 31-9-2-84.7. Nonrelocating parent.
“Nonrelocating parent”, for purposes of IC 31-17-2.2, means a parent of a
child who has or is seeking:
(1)
custody of the child; or
(2)
parenting time with the child;
and does not intend to move the individual’s principal residence.
§ 31-9-2-107.5. Relocating individual.
“Relocating individual”, for purposes of IC 31-17-2.2, means an individual
who has or is seeking:
(1)
custody of a child; or
(2)
parenting time with a child;
and intends to move the individual’s principal residence. The term does not
include an individual granted visitation rights under IC 31-17-5.
§
31-9-2-107.7. Relocation.
“Relocation”, for purposes of IC 31-17-2.2, means a change in the primary
residence of an individual for a period of at least sixty (60) days.
§ 31-14-13-10. Moving to new residence — Notice required.
If an individual who has been awarded custody of or parenting time with a
child under this article (or IC 31-6-6.1-11 before its repeal) intends to
move the individual’s residence, the individual must:
(1)
file a notice of that intent with the clerk of the court that issued the
custody or parenting time order; and
(2)
send a copy of the notice to each nonrelocating individual in accordance
with IC 31-17-2.2.
§ 31-17-2.2-1. Relocating individual — Notice of intent to move — Court
hearing on modification of custody order, parenting time order,
grandparent visitation order, or child support order.

(a)
A relocating individual must file a notice of the intent to move with
the clerk of the court that:
(1)
issued the custody order or parenting time order; or
(2)
if subdivision (1) does not apply, has jurisdiction over the legal
proceedings concerning the custody of or parenting time with a child;
and send a copy of the notice to any nonrelocating individual.
(b)
Upon motion of a party, the court shall set the matter for a hearing to
review and modify, if appropriate, a custody order, parenting time
order, grandparent visitation order, or child support order. The court
shall take into account the following in determining whether to modify a
custody order, parenting time order, grandparent visitation order, or
child support order:
(1)
The distance involved in the proposed change of residence.
(2)
The hardship and expense involved for the nonrelocating individual to
exercise parenting time or grandparent visitation.
(3)
The feasibility of preserving the relationship between the nonrelocating
individual and the child through suitable parenting time and grandparent
visitation arrangements, including consideration of the financial
circumstances of the parties.
(4)
Whether there is an established pattern of conduct by the relocating
individual, including actions by the relocating individual to either
promote or thwart a nonrelocating individual’s contact with the child.
(5)
The reasons provided by the:
(A)
relocating individual for seeking relocation; and
(B)
nonrelocating parent for opposing the relocation of the child.
(6)
Other factors affecting the best interest of the child.
(c)
The court may award reasonable attorney’s fees for a motion filed under
this section in accordance with IC 31-15-10.
§ 31-17-2.2-2. Factors to be considered when notice of relocation given
at initial custody hearing.

(a)
If a party provides notice of relocation at an initial hearing to
determine custody, the court may consider the factors set forth in this
chapter in the court’s initial custody determination.
(b)
The court may consider a proposed relocation of a child as a factor in
determining whether to modify a custody order, parenting time order,
grandparent visitation order, or child support order.
§ 31-17-2.2-3. Notice to nonrelocating individuals — Time — Information
required.

(a)
Except as provided in section 4 [IC 31-17-2.2-4] of this chapter, an
individual required to file a notice under IC 31-14-13-10 or section 1
[IC 31-17-2.2-1] of this chapter must:
(1)
send the notice to each nonrelocating individual:
(A)
by registered or certified mail; and
(B)
not later than ninety (90) days before the date that the relocating
individual intends to move; and
(2)
provide the following information in the notice:
(A)
The intended new residence, including the:
(i)
address; and
(ii)
mailing address of the relocating individual, if the mailing address is
different than the address under item (i).
(B)
The home telephone number of the new residence.
(C)
Any other applicable telephone number for the relocating individual.
(D)
The date that the relocating individual intends to move.
(E)
A brief statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation of
the child.
(F)
A proposal for a revised schedule of parenting time or grandparent
visitation with the child.
(G)
A statement that a parent must file an objection to the relocation of
the child with the court not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of
the notice.
(H)
A statement that a nonrelocating individual may file a petition to
modify a custody order, parenting time order, grandparent visitation
order, or child support order.
(b)
Except as provided in section 4 of this chapter, if the relocating
individual is unable to provide the information required under
subsection (a)(2) not later than ninety (90) days before the relocating
individual intends to move, the relocating individual shall provide the
information in the manner required under subsection (a) not later than
ten (10) days after the date that the relocating individual obtains the
information required to be provided under subsection (a)(2). However,
the relocating individual must provide all the information required
under subsection (a)(2) not later than thirty (30) days before the
relocating individual intends to move to the new residence.
§ 31-17-2.2-4. Court orders to prevent disclosure of information that
would create risk of substantial harm.

If a court finds that disclosure of the information required under
section 3 [IC 31-17-2.2-3] of this chapter creates a significant risk of
substantial harm to the relocating individual or the child, the court
may order:
(1)
that the address, the telephone number, or other identifying information
of the relocating individual or child not be disclosed in the pleadings,
other documents filed in the proceeding, or the final order;
(2)
that the information required under section 3 of this chapter be
maintained by the clerk of the court in a secure location separate from
the pending case file;
(3)
that the notice requirements under IC 31-14-13-10 or this chapter be
waived to the extent necessary to protect the relocating individual or
child from significant risk of substantial harm; or
(4)
other remedial action that the court considers necessary to facilitate
the legitimate needs of the parties and the best interest of the child.
§ 31-17-2.2-5. Motion by nonrelocating parent to prevent relocation —
Hearing — Burden of Proof.
(a)
Not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the notice from the
relocating individual under IC 31-14-13-10 or this chapter, a
nonrelocating parent may file a motion seeking a temporary or permanent
order to prevent the relocation of a child.
(b)
On the request of either party, the court shall hold a full evidentiary
hearing to grant or deny a relocation motion under subsection (a).
(c)
The relocating individual has the burden of proof that the proposed
relocation is made in good faith and for a legitimate reason.
(d)
If the relocating individual meets the burden of proof under subsection
(c), the burden shifts to the nonrelocating parent to show that the
proposed relocation is not in the best interest of the child.
(e)
If the nonrelocating parent fails to file a motion under subsection (a),
the relocating individual who has custody of the child may relocate to
the new residence.
§ 31-17-2.2-6. Temporary order restraining relocation — Temporary order
permitting relocation pending hearing.

(a)
If a nonrelocating parent files a motion under section 5 [IC 31-17-2.2-5] of
this chapter, the court, after notice and an opportunity to be heard or
after compliance with Trial Rule 65(B), may grant a temporary order
restraining the relocation of a child or order the child to be returned to
the nonrelocating parent if the court finds:
(1)
that the notice required under IC 31-14-13-10 or this chapter was not served
in a timely manner and the parties have not presented an agreement
concerning a parenting time schedule;
(2)
that the child has been relocated without:
(A)
the appropriate notice;
(B)
an agreement between the parties; or
(C)
a court order; or
(3)
from an examination of the evidence presented at the temporary hearing, that
there is a likelihood that, after a final hearing, the court will not
approve the relocation of the child.
(b)
The court may grant a temporary order permitting the relocation of the child
pending a final hearing if the court:
(1)
determines that the notice required under IC 31-14-13-10 or this chapter was
provided in a timely manner;
(2)
issues an order for a revised schedule for temporary parenting time with the
child; and
(3)
reviews the evidence presented at the temporary hearing and determines that
there is a likelihood that, after the final hearing, the court will approve
the relocation of the child.
(c)
If the court issues a temporary order authorizing the relocating individual
to move, in its final judgment, the court must consider factors:
(1)
other than; or
(2)
in addition to;
the temporary relocation of the child when issuing a final order.