Can You Take My Kids Overseas? — The Relocation Battle Every Separated Parent Fears

In this emotionally charged and deeply practical episode of Dear Divorce Diary, Darren Mort and Joplin Higgins tackle one of the most heartbreaking and legally complex issues in family law: relocation after separation.

What happens when one parent wants to move interstate… or overseas… with the children?

Can the court stop a parent from leaving Australia?

Does a mother or father have the “right” to move home?

What happens when children are caught between two countries, two cultures, and two parents who both love them?

Through a powerful role-play scenario involving a separated Australian-Norwegian family, Darren and Joplin unpack exactly how relocation disputes unfold inside the Family Court — from emotional arguments and legal strategy to parenting proposals and the harsh reality of what judges actually look for.

This episode explores the devastating emotional impact relocation cases can have on families, while giving listeners a rare behind-the-scenes look at how these cases are argued, assessed, and ultimately decided.

🌍 International Relocation After DivorceDarren and Joplin explore what happens when one parent wants to relocate internationally with children following separation — particularly where one parent feels isolated, unsupported, or desperately wants to return to family overseas.

The episode examines:

Moving overseas after divorce or separationRelocating interstate with childrenThe difference between a parent’s rights and a child’s best interestsWhether courts can stop a parent from leaving AustraliaThe emotional impact of relocation litigation

The Norway Scenario: A Realistic Courtroom Role PlayThrough an emotionally realistic mock separation between “Svetlana” and her Australian husband, the episode demonstrates:

How relocation disputes beginCommon mistakes parents make during negotiationsHow quickly conversations become adversarialWhy wording and attitude matter in courtThe danger of becoming positional and hostileThe fictional scenario highlights issues including: