FOX, Justice.
[¶ 1] After learning of Mother's imminent relocation nearly 1,400 miles away, Father, Austin Lee Moore, petitioned for custody modification and to transfer primary custody of the parties' child, TM, to him. Mother, Carrera Kylee Cook (f/k/a Carrera Kylee Moore), opposed the modification, and after a trial on the merits, the district court found that Mother's move constituted a material change in circumstances, and that it was in the best interests of TM for Father to become his primary custodian. Mother appealed and we affirm.
[¶ 2] Was there a material change in circumstances warranting the reopening of the existing custody order?
[¶ 3] The parties were married April 8, 2011, and divorced on November 13, 2012, in Evanston, Wyoming. One child resulted from the marriage, TM, born in 2011. The original custody order awarded the parties joint legal custody of TM, with Mother having primary physical custody. Father was given liberal visitation, which consisted of every other weekend, alternating holidays, and a graduated summer visitation schedule. Father also had the option of extending one
[¶ 4] Soon after the parties' divorce, Father moved from the marital residence to his parents' home in Evanston, Wyoming, and Mother moved with TM to Layton, Utah, to reside with her parents. Layton is approximately 75 miles from Evanston. The proximity of the parties' residences made the exercise of Father's visitation relatively simple.
[¶ 5] On October 25, 2013, Mother filed a motion for order to show cause, alleging that Father had denied her visitation when he had custody of TM during the summer, in violation of the custody order. Father responded, denying that he had violated the custody order, and requesting that the district court modify his child support and some of the visitation provisions. The parties attempted to resolve their issues by meeting with each other and their respective attorneys. It was at this meeting that Father learned Mother was planning to marry and move with TM to live with her new husband in College Station, Texas, nearly 1,400 miles from Evanston. Father then amended his petition to modify, requesting that the district court grant him primary physical custody of TM. Mother opposed the modification, arguing that there had not been a material change in circumstances warranting the reopening of the original custody order, and, in the alternative, that if there was a material change, it would be in TM's best interests for her to retain primary physical custody.
[¶ 6] A trial was held on May 7, 2014, and the parties submitted closing oral arguments by telephone on June 18, 2014. The district court found that Mother's relocation constituted a material change in circumstances, and that it was in TM's best interests for Father to be awarded primary physical custody. Mother timely filed her notice of appeal.
[¶ 7] Decisions affecting child custody rest within the sound discretion of the district court. CLH v. MMJ (In re TLJ), 2006 WY 28, ¶ 6, 129 P.3d 874, 876 (Wyo. 2006). We will not disturb the district court's findings "absent procedural error or a clear abuse of discretion." Id. (citing Selvey v. Selvey, 2004 WY 166, ¶ 15, 102 P.3d 210, 214 (Wyo.2004)). "Judicial discretion is a composite of many things, among which are conclusions drawn from objective criteria; it means exercising sound judgment with regard to what is right under the circumstances and without doing so arbitrarily and capriciously." Id. (quoting Fergusson v. Fergusson, 2002 WY 66, ¶ 9, 45 P.3d 641, 644 (Wyo.2002)). Our primary goal in reviewing for an abuse of discretion is determining whether the district court's decision is reasonable. Id. (citing Selvey, 2004 WY 166, ¶ 15, 102 P.3d at 214). "We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the district court's determination, affording to the prevailing party every favorable inference and omitting from our consideration conflicting evidence." Id. (citing Selvey, 2004 WY 166, ¶ 15, 102 P.3d at 214).
Kappen v. Kappen, 2015 WY 3, ¶¶ 10-11, 341 P.3d 377, 381 (Wyo.2015).
[¶ 8] Mother raises only one issue on appeal: whether the district court abused its discretion when it found that her relocation constituted a material change of circumstances warranting the reopening of the original custody order. In Arnott v. Arnott, 2012 WY 167, 293 P.3d 440 (Wyo.2012), we overruled our precedent holding that relocation by the primary physical custodian, by itself, could not constitute a material change in circumstances. Id. at ¶ 40, 293 P.3d at 458. Instead, we explicitly recognized that "a relocation by the primary physical custodian, as well as `factors that are derivative of relocation' — including `the inherent difficulties that the increase in geographical distance between the parents imposes' — may constitute a material change in circumstances sufficient to warrant consideration of the best interests of the children." Id. In this case, the district court relied on our decision in Arnott to find that "Mother's move to Texas constitutes a substantial and material change of circumstances sufficient to warrant consideration of a custodial arrangement that is in the best interests of [TM]." Mother contends that the district court abused its discretion in so finding.
[¶ 9] Mother declares that the district court failed to consider the res judicata effect of the original custody order. We have recognized generally that custody decisions are subject to the doctrine of res judicata; however, "[n]ew issues and facts may create a material change in circumstances, thus mandating a new adjudication of the parties' rights." Kappen, 2015 WY 3, ¶ 12, 341 P.3d at 381-82. The issue of whether there has been a material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child is a threshold inquiry which the district court must resolve before it reopens an existing custody order to determine the best interests of the child. Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 20-2-204(c) (LexisNexis 2015); see also Arnott, 2012 WY 167, ¶ 14, 293 P.3d at 445; Kappen, 2015 WY 3, ¶¶ 13-14, 341 P.3d at 382.
[¶ 10] In Arnott, we recognized that "a move by a custodial parent, especially when the distance from the remaining parent is significant, may create `new issues framed by facts differing from those existing when the original decree was entered,' which preclude the application of res judicata." 2012 WY 167, ¶ 39, 293 P.3d at 457-58. We went on to identify some of the "new facts" that may arise as a result of a custodial parent's relocation which would justify a finding of a material change in circumstances, including:
Id. at ¶ 39, 293 P.3d at 458. Examining these factors, we find that the district court could reasonably have concluded that a material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of TM occurred due to Mother's relocation.
[¶ 11] Mother argues that the district court abused its discretion when it failed to consider each of the factors set forth in Arnott. The Arnott factors were intended to provide guidance to district courts regarding some circumstances that it may consider when faced with a modification petition due to the relocation of the custodial parent. See Arnott, 2012 WY 167, ¶ 39, 293 P.3d at 458 ("These new facts
[¶ 12] The district court's order reflects that it considered at least some of the Arnott factors, even though it did not explicitly identify them. First, the district court determined that Mother's move "essentially foreclose[d]" the parties' ability to maintain the existing parenting agreement. Arnott, 2012 WY 167, ¶ 39, 293 P.3d at 458 (New facts and circumstances warranting reopening of the existing custody order when a custodial parent relocates may include "a change in the ability of the parties to maintain the existing parenting agreement."). The court reasoned:
Moreover, the district court implicitly recognized that Father's ability to maintain a close relationship with TM would be affected by the move due to a decrease in visitation which would inevitably occur: "The evidence shows that Father has been able to maintain a close relationship and frequent contact with [TM], in part through regular alternating weekend visitation and alternating long weekends every other month. Mother's move to Texas essentially forecloses that visitation scheme[.]"
[¶ 13] The parties also presented evidence regarding the relative merits of available social opportunities, though the district court did not discuss this factor in its material change of circumstances analysis. Arnott, 2012 WY 167, ¶ 40, 293 P.3d at 458; Olsen v. Kilpatrick, 2007 WY 103, ¶ 10, 161 P.3d 504, 507 (Wyo.2007) ("[T]his Court `may affirm a district court's decision on any proper legal grounds supported by the record.'") (quoting Del Rossi v. Doenz, 912 P.2d 1116, 1119 (Wyo.1996)). The parties testified that much of their extended family, on both sides, lives in or around Evanston, Wyoming, and Layton, Utah, and TM spends a considerable amount of time with them. The evidence demonstrated that TM's contact with his extended family would significantly be reduced if he moved to Texas.
[¶ 14] There was scant evidence presented on the remaining Arnott factors,
[¶ 15] Mother relies heavily on our decision in Kappen
[¶ 16] Mother also contends that the district court erred in light of our decision in Kappen because the court focused on how the relocation would affect Father, and failed to consider whether the move constituted a material change affecting the welfare of TM. Indeed, in Kappen, we emphasized the need for a district court to consider whether "the change holds some relevance in the child's life." Kappen, 2015 WY 3, ¶ 15, 341 P.3d at 382. While the district court never explicitly found that Mother's relocation would have an effect on TM, the evidence clearly demonstrates that such is the case. Olsen, 2007 WY 103, ¶ 10, 161 P.3d at 507. Primarily, as the district court found, TM would experience a substantial change in the relationship he shares with his Father. Under the original custody order, TM was able to spend time with Father at least once every two weeks. With the extensive distance between Evanston, Wyoming, and College Station, Texas, the frequency of those visits would inevitably decrease. Moreover, TM would experience a reduction in time that he would be able to spend with his extended family. The transition from seeing his extended family almost daily or bi-weekly to holidays or "when [they] can find a time" would undoubtedly impact TM. The evidence clearly establishes that relocation to College Station, Texas, would affect TM's welfare.
[¶ 17] The district court determined that Mother's relocation, nearly 1,400 miles from Father, created a material change in circumstances warranting the reopening of the original custody order. The considerable increase in the geographical distance between the parties created a material change in circumstances affecting the welfare of the child. Because the district court could reasonably conclude as it did, we affirm.