Florida Child & Parental Relocation Laws
Posted on Jan 7, 2010 9:00am PST
The state of Florida recently enacted new laws that provide specific instructions for
divorce or separated parents who want to
relocate with their children. These guidelines state that any parent who wishes
to move 50 or more miles from their current home must:
- Obtain written permission from the other parent, OR
- Obtain a court order that permits the relocation
If the parents agree to a relocation, then the parent wishing to move can
do so without involving the courts. However, if the parents do not agree
on the relocation, the parent who wants to relocate must serve a Petition
to Relocate to the other parent. Once this petition has been served, the
other parent has 20 days to file an objection. If the other parent does
not file an objection, the court will permit the relocation. If the other
parent objects to the relocation, the parent who wants to move must prove
why the relocation is in the best interest of the children.
Failure to serve a petition and/or relocating your children without a court
order or permission from the other parent will be considered contempt
of court, and can result in a number of penalties, including:
- The court could forbid the relocation
-
The court could alter your current time sharing arrangement
- The court could demand that you return the child
- The court could order you to pay the other parent's attorney fees and
any travel expenses incurred from visiting the child or returning the child
Contact an Experienced Child Custody Lawyer
Whether you are the one wishing to move away, or your child's other
parent is the one wanting to relocate,
Jacksonville family law attorney from Hutchinson Lawcan provide you with the experienced and trusted legal counsel and representation
you need.
To schedule an appointment with the firm, please contact the office today at (904) 638-3134!