David, J.
In this case, a mother sought to relocate out-of-state with her child. The father filed a motion to modify custody and prevent the child’s relocation. After an evidentiary hearing, which was conducted over two days with ten witnesses testifying, the trial court ruled in the father’s favor. The Court of Appeals reversed.
Today, we reiterate that in family law matters, trial courts are afforded considerable deference. Here, the trial court’s judgment was well supported by the findings, and neither the judgment nor the findings were clearly erroneous.
….
Contrary to the Court of Appeals’s assertion, the trial court here did not base its conclusion that relocation was not in the best interest of Child solely on the fact that Father would not have as much contact with Child. We agree with the Court of Appeals that there is no blanket rule that a relocation that deprives a parent of time with a child is always against the best interest of the child. But a trial court can, and in fact must, take into account the child’s relationship with parents, which is a best-interest factor listed in Indiana Code section 31-17-2-8(4)(A). Here, the trial court considered Father and Child’s relationship, among a host of other factors.
Accordingly, we cannot conclude, consistent with the applicable clear-error standard of review, that there are no facts to support the trial court’s judgment either directly or by inference. In fact, the trial court had ample support for its decision. As this Court has stated,
[W]here a very young child or baby is involved, a move out of state may have little or no effect on the child. For an older child who has formed friendships, attends school, and participates in activities or sports, is involved in church, or enjoys the security of supportive relationships with nearby relatives or others in his community, a move out of state may have a much more significant effect.
Baxendale, 878 N.E.2d at 1257 (alteration in original) (quoting Lamb v. Wenning, 600 N.E.2d 96, 99 (Ind. 1992)). Ultimately, although an appellate court in this case may be able to reach a different conclusion from that of the trial court, doing so would involve reweighing the evidence, which is not permitted.
Conclusion
Trial courts are afforded a great deal of deference in family law matters, including relocation and custody disputes. The trial court, in this case, made sufficient and supportable findings to sustain its decision to prevent relocation and modify custody. Applying the highly deferential standard of review, we affirm the trial court.
Dickson, C.J., and Rucker, Massa, and Rush, JJ., concur.