The Fight for Relocation

Travis felt powerless in a custody battle that spanned two states, and he was losing hope. After years of setbacks, frequent litigation, and little support, Travis found Senior Associate Keith Karnes, who would transform his case.

Keith helped Travis secure sole decision-making of his son and get the stability he’d been fighting for. Travis spoke with R&H Marketing to discuss his experience working with Keith. 

Past results afford no guarantee of future results; each matter is different and must be judged on its own merits. Facts are those of an actual Robinson & Henry case. We used only our client’s first name to protect his privacy.

For two long years, Travis felt like the legal system wasn’t listening.

Living in Oregon while his young son remained in Colorado, he was in a difficult custody battle that left him feeling powerless and far from his son, whom he was trying to protect. 

Travis wasn’t married to his son’s mother, and the physical distance made every step of the legal process harder. When he tried to raise concerns, court hearings ended with little progress. 

The distance alone created challenges most parents never have to face. 

“It was very challenging to navigate this already stressful process from, you know, half the country away,” he said.

For the first two years of his case, he worked with a different law firm. But any progress in his case stalled. 

“As we went through the court process, I wasn’t really getting anywhere. Really, nothing was happening,” Travis explained.

The legal representation he had at the time wasn’t making headway. Before long, Travis felt helpless, like the system designed to protect families was failing in his situation.

“Before [Keith] came,” he says, “it didn’t feel like anyone was looking out for my son.”

After years of frustration, Travis decided something had to change. He began researching other attorneys and found Family Law Senior Associate Keith Karnes. The difference, he recalls, was immediate.

“He really listened and took the time to understand what my real concerns are, what our needs were. And he really took that to heart,” he explained. 

Rather than rushing through the facts, Keith invested the effort to learn the whole picture. He understood what Travis had been dealing with, the concerns he had for his son, and the obstacles that had prevented meaningful progress in the past. 

For the first time, Travis felt that an attorney also understood the emotional weight he had been carrying.

“You could tell that he had the same commitment and passion to resolve this for us that we did,” Travis says. “Which is unheard of because it just seemed like no one else was fighting for us or for my son. Until we met Keith.”

Travis was impressed by the level of commitment. Every motion filed and every appearance in court reflected a clear understanding of the situation and a determination to advocate for what was in the child’s best interest. Travis felt, for the first time, that someone else shared his urgency and passion for his son’s welfare.

“The worst feeling in the world for me in this whole process has been the feeling like I really couldn’t protect my son. That is the worst feeling for a parent when your child’s safety is in the hands of strangers in the court system,” he explained.

With Keith leading the case, Travis finally felt a sense of hope. Keith focused on presenting the reality of the situation to the court. Travis thought that the arguments being made on his behalf were not only legally sound but also emotionally grounded in the child’s well-being.

Keith treated every concern seriously. That attention and respect, Travis says, made him feel heard and validated after years of frustration. 

Behind the scenes, Travis also noticed the difference in the support structure working with a new firm, Robinson & Henry. Processes that had previously been confusing or inconsistent were now organized and streamlined. Travis felt like nothing fell through the cracks, and the entire team was aligned.

“I love the resources that Robinson & Henry have, the amount of attorneys on the case. Everything's just streamlined and easier from paying our retainer to communication,” he explained.

With dedicated representation and a new strategy, the court awarded Travis sole decision-making over major decisions for his child and permission to relocate to Oregon with his child from Colorado. This was a massive victory for Travis having moved from Colorado to Oregon to be closer to his son, initially being the minority time parent. 

The change, he says, has been life-altering. After years of stress and sleepless nights, he finally feels peace. He describes feeling happier, more secure, and finally able to give his son the stability he had been fighting for all along. The impact on his life has been profound.

“It’s changed my life,” he says. “I’m sleeping at night. I’m happier. It’s a peace of mind. It’s a happiness. It’s everything that a parent should feel.”

Travis is candid about what his experience taught him. Choosing the right attorney can be the decisive factor in navigating family court. 

In his view, the combination of Keith’s advocacy and Robinson & Henry’s team support made all the difference between years of stalled progress and a successful outcome.

He recommends Keith and the firm to any parent facing a difficult custody dispute. For him, the outcome wasn’t just a legal victory. It was the restoration of his ability to provide the life he had always wanted for his son.

“I am like a true testament that choosing the right representation is the biggest key to success in dealing with the family courts. Having the right people in place, and the right attorney for you, makes all the difference.”