Chapter 20 - The final relocation ruling
The final hearing came eleven months after the park.
Caroline had already moved to Raleigh.
For almost a year, Odelia remained in Connecticut with me and traveled for longer weekends and holidays.
The arrangement was imperfect.
Flights.
Driving.
Missed casual time with her mother.
Caroline hated it.
So did I.
The court considered everything.
Not just the scandal.
Caroline remained a fit parent.
I remained a fit parent.
Thomas’s home was appropriate.
My home was appropriate.
The question was relocation and primary residence.
The court ultimately denied Caroline’s request to relocate Odelia’s primary residence to North Carolina.
Reasons included:
Continuity of school and therapy.
Her established weekday life.
Strong attachment to both parents.
My existing caregiving role.
Her stated anxiety about being moved away from me.
And concern about how the relocation issue had already been discussed around her.
The order expanded Caroline’s blocks of parenting time:
Longer summer period.
Alternating major holidays.
Several extended weekends.
Shared travel costs weighted by income.
Frequent video contact.
Flexibility for school breaks.
Not punishment.
Accommodation.
Caroline did not lose her daughter.
She lost the requested relocation outcome.
Different.
She considered appeal.
May you like
Did not pursue after counsel’s advice.
That was the beginning of something healthier.
