Statutes: Indiana

Sec. 1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), 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.

(b) A relocating individual is not required to file a notice of intent to move with the clerk of the court if:

(1) the relocation has been addressed by a prior court order, including a court order relieving the relocating individual of the requirement to file a notice; or

(2) the relocation will:

(A) result in a decrease in the distance between the relocating individual’s residence and the nonrelocating individual’s residence; or

(B) result in an increase of not more than twenty (20) miles in the distance between the relocating individual’s residence and the nonrelocating individual’s residence;

and allow the child to remain enrolled in the child’s current school.

(c) Upon motion of a party, the court shall set the matter for a hearing to allow or restrain the relocation of a child and to review and modify, if appropriate, a custody order, parenting time order, grandparent visitation order, or child support order. The court’s authority to modify a custody order, parenting time order, grandparent visitation order, or child support order is not affected by the fact that a relocating individual is exempt from the requirement to file a notice of relocation by subsection (b). 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.

(d) A court may order the relocating individual and the nonrelocating individual to participate in mediation or another alternative dispute resolution process before a hearing under this section:

(1) on its own motion; or

(2) upon the motion of any party.

(e) If a relocation occurs, all existing orders for custody, parenting time, grandparent visitation, and child support remain in effect until modified by the court.

(f) The court may award reasonable attorney’s fees for a motion filed under this section in accordance with IC 31-15-10 and IC 34-52-1-1(b).