In re the Marriage of Gautier

Father appeals from a trial court order requiring him to move to Oregon from California or lose custody of the parties’ children. On de novo review, we reverse.

The parties separated after a seven-year marriage. Father obtained physical custody of the children in 1976. A 1978 dissolution decree awarded father legal custody. In 1980, father was laid off work. After unsuccessfully seeking work in Oregon for three months, he found a job in the San Francisco area. Upon learning that father planned to move the children to California, wife obtained an order which temporarily enjoined him from…