She is telling me she is going to move our new born doughter to Arizona. When we live in NY. She has a previous child. The step doughters father and parents live there. But my wife has no family there. Can she take our new born out there. All my family lives in NY. Her family is scattered all over except in Arizona

Yes, she can take the child wherever she wants to take the child. You need to file for divorce and ask for visitation and/or custody as well as an Order preventing her from leaving the State of NY. You can apply for an emergency hearing if you think she is planning on moving soon.

I agree with Judy - hire an attorney immediately to assert your rights and get visitation or shared custody and stop the move. If you permit her to move and she has a chance to establish residency, it will be nearly impossible to force her back here and very expensive for you to try.

Similar thing happened with my daughter... get a lawer and go to court asap! I dragged my feet and haven't seen or heard about my daughter in about 6 years... it hurts and I don't wish this pain on anyone.

similar thing happened with my daughter..... get a lawer and go to court asap! i dragged my feet and havent seen or heard about my daughter in about 6 years.... it hurts and i dont wish this pain on anyone.


As painful as it sometimes is to share hearing the advice from someone who has had the experience is invaluable.

Thank you for sharing - I hope some day, some time, this works out for you.

{moderators note: moved from Children to Family Law}