You fail to mention if your son's father is very involved in his life or not. Just that he'd fight you. Well, if he'd fight just to be petty that is one thing, but if he'd fight because the valued time with his son would be taken away that is another thing. If his father is not a positive influence on his life then good luck to you in taking both your boys towards a better place. If its just a matter of a "great opportunity" then maybe you should consider sending your husband alone and let him make the trip back and forth to visit you. Yeah right, huh? Because that is the choice you are thinking of giving your ex and your son. Is the option for your son to have to travel back and forth or for your ex to travel back and forth any different than asking your husband to do the same? But it sounds like the decision to leave has already been made if you can convince the courts to let you do so. That is just SELFISH! I can't blame you for thinking about your family as a whole, but you aren't thinking of your son's family as a whole. Because his family includes his father. My mother took my sister and I away from our father for a "great opportunity" and it wasn't that great, it was simply an excuse for her to change venues and "start over". Now, if his father really isn't involved and doesn't show interest in your son other than vindictiveness, by all means good luck on your move. I just hope you and your current husband are making the decision to move based on more than what would make your lives better and easier, with disregard for you son's. I'm sure you'd assume that if your lives are better then your son's is too, but as long as his needs are being met where he is, then is taking him away from his father the best course of action?