Can my ex take my child to live in another country?
James Craig
Published Feb 12, 2026
If a parent wants to move overseas with their child, they can apply for court permission to do so. The parent who opposes the court application can also ask the court to order that the children live with them under a child arrangements order. This type of order is like the old style custody order or residence order.
Can I move abroad with my child without father’s consent?
No, you cannot take the children abroad without the consent of the other parent or the permission of the Court, even if you have applied to the Court for permission or are intending to. Doing so could severely undermine your chances of succeeding in a formal application to the Court for permission.
Do I have to pay child maintenance if my child lives abroad?
Parents have a duty to maintain their children irrespective of the amount of time they spend with them or what country they live in. However international payment can be difficult to enforce. Parents cannot enforce an arrangement made informally between them, it must be made legally binding first.
Can I stop my ex wife taking my child abroad?
If your ex-partner does not have parental responsibility then you can stop them from taking your child. If a father wants to take their child abroad for holiday then a mother can stop them taking the child away unless the father has child residence in which case they can take the child away for up to 28 days.
Can you move out of the country with a child?
Do I need permission to relocate to another country with my child? It is strongly inadvisable to relocate without written agreement from all individuals who have parental responsibility for a child (or alternatively the permission of the court) as this runs the risk of the move being regarded as child abduction.
Can my ex take my child on holiday without my permission?
If both parents have Parental Responsibility then neither parent can take the child abroad without consent, unless: There is a Child Arrangement Order specifying that the child should live with one parent.
Can you move to another country with joint custody?
In an international move-away case, a child’s best interests require, at a minimum: Continuing contact between the child and the parent remaining in the U.S., and. Guaranteed enforceability of the California custody order in the foreign country.
What country does not enforce child support?
There countries are Australia, the Czech Republic, Canada, El Salvador, Hungary, Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Portugal, The United Kingdom, the Slovak Republic and Switzerland. As you can see from that list, it leaves those who do not want to pay with many options.
What happens to your family when you move abroad?
Your loved ones will be devastated. No matter how you try to sugarcoat it, moving abroad is essentially a selfish choice. It’s great that you’re living your dream and are choosing the life (you think) you want, but really, you’re not making anyone happy but yourself.
Is it a selfish choice to move abroad?
No matter how you try to sugarcoat it, moving abroad is essentially a selfish choice. It’s great that you’re living your dream and are choosing the life (you think) you want, but really, you’re not making anyone happy but yourself.
What’s the most powerful feeling after moving abroad?
It’s been an amazing journey that has taught me more about life, love and fear than any education or self-help book ever could. To build a new existence far away from everything you know and believe in is the most powerful feeling in the world. People who have moved abroad will nod their heads in agreement.