blog home Child Allocation Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s Parenting Dispute: What Happens When One Parent Wants to Relocate

Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s Parenting Dispute: What Happens When One Parent Wants to Relocate

By Nottage and Ward on April 9, 2025

Celebrity divorces often bring public attention to complex legal questions that many families quietly struggle with every day. One recent example is the headline-making dispute between Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities.

The central issue? Parental relocation. Turner reportedly wanted to return to the UK with their children, while Jonas wanted them to stay in the U.S.—a scenario to which many separated or divorced parents can unfortunately relate.

For Illinois families, especially those with interstate or international ties, relocation cases raise difficult questions about parenting time, travel logistics, and what’s truly in the child’s best interest.
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At Nottage and Ward, LLP, our Chicago family law attorneys work with high-net-worth and professional clients to successfully navigate these emotionally and legally complex matters.

What Is Parental Relocation?

Parental relocation occurs when the primary parent (or parent with the majority of parenting time) wants to move with the child to a new city, state, or country. In Illinois, any move that significantly affects the current parenting schedule—especially across state or national borders—typically requires court approval.

For example, under Illinois law, a move is considered a relocation when:

• A parent in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will County wants to move more than 25 miles from their current residence.
• A parent in another Illinois county wants to move more than 50 miles away.
• A parent wants to move out of state, regardless of distance.

Once a proposed move qualifies as a relocation, legal action is required, even if both parents have joint parental responsibilities.

When One Parent Wants to Relocate

In Illinois, cases of child relocation in terms of the allocation of parental responsibilities fall under the state’s revised family law code (750 ILCS 5/609.2). A parent who wishes to relocate must:

1. Provide notice and give the other parent at least 60 days written notice before the move. The notice must include the intended new address, moving date, and reason for the relocation.
2. Obtain consent or file a petition if the other parent agrees. Both parents can sign the notice and submit it to the court for approval. However, if the other parent objects, the relocating parent must file a petition to relocate, and the court will hold a hearing.
3. Attend a court hearing, where the court considers whether the proposed move is in the best interest of the child, taking into account both logistical and emotional factors.

Factors Courts Consider in Relocation Cases

Illinois courts evaluate relocation requests based on a multi-factor “best interest” standard. They may consider:

• The reason for the move (e.g., job opportunity, family support, better school system)
• The objecting parent’s reason for opposing the move
• The relationship between the child and each parent
• The educational, emotional, and social impact of the move
• The feasibility of preserving the child’s relationship with the non-relocating parent
• Whether the move will enhance the child’s quality of life

If the move is international, like the Jonas/Turner situation, courts must also consider international law for the allocation of parental responsibility and treaty obligations. An example includes the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

Parenting Plans and Travel

Courts expect parents to create solutions that prioritize the child’s emotional and developmental needs, even when separated by thousands of miles.

When parents live in different states or countries, parenting plans and travel arrangements must be carefully designed to support the child’s well-being and maintain strong bonds with both parents.

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we work with clients to craft plans that include:

• Alternating holiday schedules
• Extended summer or school break parenting time
• Virtual communication protocols
• Sharing arrangements for travel expenses
• Clear pick-up and drop-off responsibilities

High-Net-Worth and International Cases

Just like Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, many of our clients have international ties, dual citizenship, or demanding travel schedules. These cases often involve:

• Multiple residences across state or national lines
• School enrollment concerns in more than one location
• Complex allocation of parental responsibilities jurisdiction issues
• Global mobility clauses in prenuptial or parenting agreements

In these situations, the stakes are higher, and the legal challenges are more nuanced. For example, relocating to a country that’s not associated with the Hague Convention can significantly impact a parent’s ability to enforce a return order if a child is wrongfully retained abroad.

Thankfully, our family law attorneys are well-versed in interstate disputes and law regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities. We know how to anticipate and navigate these complexities before they escalate into costly litigation.

Can Relocation Be Prevented?

Yes. If you’re a parent trying to stop the other from relocating with your child, you have the following legal options:

• Object to the move in writing
• File a petition to block the relocation
• Request a modification to parenting time or decision-making authority

Illinois courts will weigh your concerns carefully, especially if you’ve played an active role in your child’s life and the move would limit your ability to continue doing so.

At our law firm, our lawyers can help parents build strong, fact-based arguments that focus on the child’s continuity, stability, and emotional well-being.

Real-World Impact: Lessons from Jonas v. Turner

While the specifics of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner’s case remain confidential, the dispute highlights several common challenges:

• International relocation disputes can trigger urgent legal action, including court orders restricting travel.
• Cultural and family ties—such as Turner’s desire to return to the UK—are legitimate considerations but must be balanced against existing parenting plans.
• High-profile parents often negotiate private settlements to avoid prolonged public litigation, but average families face the same core legal questions.

If you’re in a similar situation—whether you’re the relocating parent or the one objecting—don’t wait to seek legal advice.

Why Choose Nottage and Ward, LLP?

At Nottage and Ward, LLP, we focus on Illinois family law and have over 35 years of experience handling complex, high-income, and high-stakes parenting cases.

Our firm is known for:

• Providing strategic, customized guidance in relocation and allocation of parental responsibilities disputes
• Navigating interstate and international allocation of parental responsibilities law with precision
• Protecting clients with both sensitivity and strength
• Representing professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals who need discretion and results

We help clients stay out of court when possible and litigate with the authorities when necessary.

Speak with a Chicago Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Attorney Today

If you’re facing a dispute in Illinois regarding child relocation allocation of parental responsibilities or parenting time, or you’re considering a move that affects your parenting plan, contact the legal team at Nottage and Ward, LLP.

We provide strategic legal guidance to help parents across Chicago resolve relocation, travel, and interstate disputes dealing with the allocation of parental responsibilities. Call our law firm today at (312) 332-2915 or to schedule a confidential consultation.