The appellant appealed a trial decision granting joint custody but allowing the respondent mother to relocate with their two children to Washington State and giving her final decision-making authority.
The appellant argued the trial judge erred by relying on the respondent's stated intention to move with or without the children, failing to maximize contact, and rejecting the Office of the Children's Lawyer's recommendation against relocation.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding the trial judge properly applied the Gordon v. Goertz framework, avoided the 'double bind' trap, and made an order in the children's best interests.
The access schedule was slightly amended for 2021 due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
