In the last decade, Texas has seen hundreds of corporate offices pop up across the state. With its healthy business environment and growing talent pool, Texas is like a magnet for corporate relocation. There are currently 600+ active sites (residential and industrial) available for development around DFW, making it the perfect breeding ground for large corporations.
A recent study states that roughly 1,800 companies left California in 2016 – a sixth of those landed somewhere in The Lone Star State. Among the top 10 cities where West coast companies migrate to are Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. In the last three years alone, major companies like Toyota, Charles Schwab and Jamba Juice have all jumped ship and headed to North Texas. At the end of last year, five influential business announced their big moves to the DFW area. While the new PGA headquarters in Frisco won’t be complete until 2022, in 2019 we can expect to see:
- medical supplies distributor, DJO, coming to Lewisville and bringing over 200 jobs
- convenience store supplier, Core-Mark, relocating to Westlake
- and the country’s largest pharmaceutical distributor, McKesson, coming to Las Colinas – which will make it the second largest company headquartered in North Texas
So, what does this mean for your future or finalized divorce?
While this influx brings hundreds of jobs to DFW, it also brings many legal complications. Whether you got divorced in another state, you’re relocating with a pending divorce, or you file for divorce once you’ve settled in your new state, it’s important to prepare for these complications. Custody battles, different tax law, trips back and forth for court appearances or mediation, and property disputes are some of the larger issues that should be handled by you and your attorney. There are also little details that may be overlooked like updating your address on all documents.
- If you plan to file for divorce
Whichever spouse files first usually gets jurisdiction. This could mean some travel time if you live in different places. The divorce filing does not have to be where your marriage license was officiated, but one party must be a resident of the state or county in which they are filing. In Texas, this means you must have lived in the state at least six months and the county for 90 days. If you have children, you’ll also want to consider how visitation schedules will work.
- If your divorce is final or pending
Under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, a divorce ruling is recognized nationwide and the court that granted the divorce holds jurisdiction. Because the decree is recognized wherever you relocate to, responsibilities like alimony and child support will likely not change unless a modification is made. It is also important to let your ex-spouse know about your planned move if you have such continuing obligations.
A common concern voiced by parents going through relocation is “What about my kids?” There is no overarching rule for relocating your children during or after a divorce. Each case is decided on an individual basis. If permission is granted by the other parent or the court, then you are good to go. However, if the other parent does not agree, then the court will have to determine what is the best outcome for the child. While your interests in moving are not entirely ignored, the court will look at it from the perspective of the child’s best interests. In the case of relocating for a better job, the income increase could be in your favor for the move.
If you are going through a relocation and plan to file for divorce soon, you’ll want to be prepared. Planning ahead with the help of experienced family lawyers in North Texas will help you get a court ruling that ensures a smooth transition.