Relocation

In today’s highly technological world, people are moving more often. It is easy to keep in touch with friends and family across state lines using video chat, text messages, and old-fashioned phone calls. But when it comes to a custody agreement after a divorce dealing with a minor child (or children), it might not be so easy to simply up-and-leave.

According to Florida state law, a child with parents of divorce who both have rights to see the child cannot be moved more than 50 miles away without approval from the court. So that dream job you were just offered on the California coast? You might not want to accept too quickly.

If you would like to relocate with your child to an area that is greater than 50 miles from where you are currently living, I can help guide you through the process of filing the petition with the courts.

When you meet with a custody attorney to discuss your case, they will tell you one thing for sure: the courts are looking for what’s best for the child at-hand. Therefore, they are looking for benefits the relocation can offer the child that would be greater than what the child is currently experiencing.

Here are some factors the court will consider when looking into your petition:

• How active is the non-relocating parent in the child’s life
• How will the relocation affect the child in the following ways:
  • School
  • Family
  • Social life
• Current scope of timesharing agreement and how it will affect timesharing

Additionally, courts will look into the child’s preferences on whether or not they desire to move if they are of a certain age and can reasonably answer.

Many factors go into determining the case of relocating a child of divorce. With an experienced custody attorney by your side, your chances of having this petition granted rise significantly.

If you are looking to relocate with a child of divorce, give me a call and we can discuss the best steps moving forward.