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Parental Relocation

Tampa, Florida, Attorney
Parental Relocation, Moving a Child Out of State

Family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Kuske & Ragano, P.A. in Tampa represent parents in relocation proceedings, defending their parental rights and helping them work out practical parenting plans that are in the best interests of the children involved. If the custodial parent is moving in an attempt to interfere with that relationship, our attorneys will petition the court for modification of the custody order. If you would like to speak with one of our lawyers about representation in a child relocation proceeding, please contact our Tampa office to arrange a consultation.

30 days' notice is required to move a child out of state

Until recently, there was nothing under Florida law that prevented a custodial parent from moving a child out of state. Recently, however, the legislature passed a parental relocation law requiring the parent to file a Notice of Intent to Relocate a Child, and serve that notice on the child's other parent. This is true whether it is a post-divorce relocation or the parents have never been married.

Filing the Notice of Intent to Relocate is difficult and must be done properly. The relocating parent must be able to state his or her new address, the address of the parent's new employer, the parent's new income, and a plan for a substitute time sharing plan to replace the current visitation order. However, the parent may need to move for economic or personal reasons.

The non-custodial parent has 30 days to object.

A Notice of Intent to Relocate nearly always meets an objection by the non-custodial parent, who may believe that the new time-sharing arrangement will reduce the quality of the parent-child relationship and therefore is not in the best interests of the child, or the new arrangement will put an undue burden on the non-custodial parent.

The court will usually expedite the hearing, which will usually take place within two weeks.

Our lawyers work with parent coordinators and relocation child custody experts, seeing that our client's relationship with the child will not be impaired by the new arrangement and it is in the best interests of the child. We can often help parents arrive at substitute time arrangement that is reasonable, practical and fair to both parents. Typically, depending on the age of the child, visitation every other weekend and on one week night will be replaced by longer periods of parental visitation during summer vacations and school breaks.

Topics related to parental relocation and custody

Contact a Tampa lawyer at the Law Offices of Kuske & Ragano, P.A. today if you or your child's other parent is planning on moving the child out of state. Our offices are conveniently located in downtown Tampa, five minutes from the Hillsborough County Courthouse. By thoroughly examining all aspects of your case in order to determine the best way in which to proceed, we strive to gain the results you seek.