With the levels of the uncertainty of our everyday lives rising, many of us may be reconsidering our cost of living. For those that are considering a change to better suit your economic needs, relocating to an area more suitable to meet the changes and fluctuations of your life may be at the top of your list.
Despite the uncertainty of the state of the world as we battle a pandemic, there is one thing that remains certain for parents and children who with a parenting plan. The terms and conditions set forth in your time sharing agreement and Florida law governing relocation still stand.
What to Do If You Are Considering Relocating While Time-Sharing:
1. Review Florida Statute 61.3001. Florida Statute 61.3001 prevents residential parents from relocating to a new residence more than 50 miles away for more than 60 days. So Take note of the distance between your new proposed place of residence and your current residence to make sure it meets criteria.
3. Talk it out. While face-to-face conversation isn’t recommended, that shouldn’t stop you from voicing your plans to your co-parent. Communication is key in all co-parenting matters, and in pandemic times electronic communication is needed more than ever to ensure plans and concerns are being talked about while meeting health and safety precautions of social distancing, Communicate to your co-parent where and why you plan on relocating, how this will or won’t affect current time-sharing arrangements, and any way the time-sharing agreement can be modified to meet new needs
4. Write an agreement. Once you and your co-parent have talked it out make sure to keep note of all aspects of the relocation such as: transportation, new proposed time-sharing schedules. Also note any changes or missed visits to bring up to the judge that may need to be reconsidered.
5. When there is no agreement. When an agreement cannot be reached it’s time to file a petition for relocation where a judge decides if the relocation is allowed. During this be prepared to present any documentation that proves a need for relocation and date of anticipated relocation, proposed time-sharing schedules, proposed transportation plans, new accommodations such as schooling or daycare, as well as be ready for the judge to consider all aspects of the relocation to make sure it benefits the best interest of the child(ren).
Call the Law Office of Lisa Weber today to evaluate your options or to formulate a defense against a proposed relocation.