Q: Can I change my daughter's school if my ex-wife moves? Custody is 50/50.
I have 50/50 custody of my 8-year-old daughter, who is currently in the second grade. She goes to school in the district where my ex-wife lives. My ex-wife mentioned she might move during the summer, which could potentially force a change in my daughter's school. We don’t have any specific school arrangements in our marital separation agreement. If my ex-wife moves, would I have the legal right to enroll my daughter in a school within my district, considering the round-trip is already 1 hour, and she refuses to discuss or consider enrolling her in a private school?
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A:
With 50/50 custody, both parents typically share decision-making authority over major issues like school enrollment. Since your separation agreement doesn’t mention a specific school, any decision about changing schools should ideally be made together. If your ex-wife moves and the current school becomes too far or disruptive, that could be a valid reason to revisit your daughter’s school placement.
You do have the right to propose enrolling her in a school in your district, especially if it would reduce travel time and give her more stability. If your ex refuses to cooperate or discuss options, you can ask the court to intervene. A judge will look at what arrangement is in your daughter’s best interest, which includes school performance, consistency, commute time, and how any change might affect her overall well-being.
Document the commute, your attempts to communicate, and why you believe a school change would benefit your daughter. If the move happens and your ex insists on keeping her in a school far from your home, you may have strong grounds to request a change through the court. This isn’t about control—it’s about what will help your daughter succeed and feel supported.
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