# Montana Court Rules 10-Mile Move Won't Change Parenting Plan

> Montana Supreme Court says 10 extra driving miles aren't enough to reopen custody arrangements after ex-wife moved home.
- Title: Montana Court Rules 10-Mile Move Won't Change Parenting Plan
- Summary: Montana Supreme Court says 10 extra driving miles aren't enough to reopen custody arrangements after ex-wife moved home.
- Keywords: montana supreme court, parenting plan, custody arrangement, relocation, child custody, divorce, toole county, justin aikins, loralee lords, district court, appeal, family law
- Source: Indiatimes — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/a-montana-father-sought-to-change-his-parenting-plan-after-his-former-wife-moved-arguing-it-made-visits-harder-the-state-supreme-court-ruled-that-10-extra-driving-miles-were-not-enough-to-reopen-the-arrangement/articleshow/135743986.cms
- Author: TOI World Desk
- Published: 2026-11-12T23:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: montana supreme court, parenting plan, custody arrangement, relocation, child custody, divorce, toole county, justin aikins, loralee lords, district court, appeal, family law
## Parenting Plan Change Request
A Montana father sought to change his parenting plan after his former wife moved, arguing it made visits harder.
## Court Ruling on 10 Miles
The Montana Supreme Court ruled that 10 extra driving miles were not enough to reopen the parenting arrangement.
## Case Background
The case began in the Ninth Judicial District Court in Toole County under District Court Cause No. DR-2018-019.
## Father's Argument
Justin L. Aikins argued that his former wife's move created practical problems with picking up and dropping off children.
## Initial Court Decision
District Judge Gregory L. Bonilla initially rejected the father's request to change the parenting plan.
## Appeal Process
Aikins appealed to Montana's highest court after the district court rejected his request.
## Legal Threshold
Under Montana family law, courts must focus on keeping children's lives stable and cannot change plans without major changes affecting well-being.
## Supreme Court Decision
The justices ruled that small changes in location within the same local area were not enough to reopen a court order.
## Mediation Attempt
The case went through mediation but failed to reach an agreement between the parents.
## Final Ruling
The Montana Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision that 10 miles were not a major change justifying a parenting plan modification.
## Key takeaway

Montana Supreme Court upheld a district court decision that 10 extra driving miles from a move don't justify changing a parenting plan.