PITTSBURGH -- Tough economic times are forcing some parents to take jobs outside the area. But if they have children and a custody order, relocating could land them in hot water with the courts.

That’s what happened to Tricia Frances. She had primary custody of her three sons and when she left Allegheny County and moved to Butler County with them, it was a costly mistake.

"I was forced to move back to the county because I moved out of the county which I did not know you could not do," Frances said.

Angered by the move, the court changed Francess' custody order to "shared custody" and ordered her to remain in the Chartiers Valley School District until her 10-year-old son graduates from high school in eight years.

Frances said, "I think they saw it as me taking the kids without the father's permission."

Retired Supreme Court Judge Cynthia Baldwin said the court understands when one must relocate, especially for a job, but frowns on parents who leave without permission...

Baldwin said, “There should be more fear of not going to the court because then there's a parental kidnapping, you're taking the child and running and the other parent has custodial rights, too."

It's something Frances wishes she had done.

"It's a mistake. I'm paying for it now," Frances said.

As a result of moving without permission, Frances lost primary physical custody of her boys and is saddled with attorney fees.