Thinking about moving more than 50 miles with your child, or worried your co-parent plans to do so? Florida has a detailed relocation statute with strict notice requirements and real penalties for noncompliance. At Kofsky Law in Jupiter, we help parents pursue or oppose relocation in high-conflict, high-stakes cases through focused planning and steady courtroom work.
Your child’s life sits at the center of every decision. Our team builds clear cases and stands ready for tough hearings when needed. If you need help right now, we are ready to step in and protect your rights.
Florida Child Relocation Law: An Overview
Under Florida Statutes section 61.13001, a parent who wants to move a child more than 50 miles for at least 60 days must obtain the other parent’s written agreement or a court order. The rule applies to moves inside Florida and out of state. Notice, filings, and deadlines follow the statute, not informal texts or emails.
Judges focus on the child’s best interests, not the adults’ convenience. Courts consider stability, schooling, access to health care, and concrete ways to keep the child close to both parents. A clear, practical plan supported by evidence carries more weight than vague promises.
Moving without permission can backfire fast. You could face contempt charges, an emergency hearing, and changes to your time-sharing. Prompt legal help often stops problems from getting worse.
Relocation basics every parent should know:
- Moves of 50 miles or less are not treated as relocation under the statute.
- A temporary trip for vacation, education, or medical care is not considered relocation if it lasts less than 60 days.
- The petition must include the new address (if known), the planned date, and a proposed time-sharing schedule.
- If the other parent files a timely objection, the court will set a hearing and may enter temporary orders.
We explain what each step requires and handle the filings on time, start to finish.
| Topic | Summary |
| Distance threshold | More than 50 miles from the child’s current residence |
| Time threshold | At least 60 consecutive days, excluding short trips for school, health care, or vacation |
| Permission needed | Written consent of the other parent, or a court order |
| Scope | Applies to moves within Florida and out of state |
| Statute | Florida Statutes section 61.13001 |
| Risks of moving without approval | Contempt, emergency relief, and modified custody or time-sharing |
Every case turns on the facts, but these benchmarks shape how judges view a request.
How Kofsky Law Guides Clients Through Child Relocation Cases
Relocation work calls for clear planning and strong evidence from day one. We build the record early, then press for a result that fits your child’s life. Here is how we move a case from first call to final order.
Comprehensive Case Assessment
We review your current orders, your parenting history, and the reasons for the move or the objection. We also map the likely impact on the child, including school, special needs, and support systems. Then we give you a frank outlook so you can plan next steps.
Petition Preparation and Filing
Our team prepares petitions, objections, and supporting affidavits that comply with Florida filing requirements. We track service, deadlines, and hearing dates, and we keep you in the loop.
Documents and proof we routinely gather include:
- Job offers or transfer letters that show start dates and pay.
- Enrollment options, IEPs, or school rankings for the new location.
- Medical records and provider availability at the new address.
- Travel plans, cost-sharing proposals, and a detailed long-distance time-sharing calendar.
- Statements from teachers, coaches, or caregivers who know the child.
Good documentation builds trust with the court and shows the plan is real.
Advocacy in Negotiations and Mediation
Many relocation cases are resolved through a signed agreement. We push for fair terms that protect the child and keep both parents involved.
When distance is a factor, structured long-distance time-sharing can keep bonds strong. Weekend blocks, extended summer time, shared holidays, and virtual contact all help maintain steady relationships.
Aggressive Litigation When Necessary
If talks stall, we push forward in court with clear, targeted proof. We present witnesses, exhibits, and child-focused arguments. Judges want facts, not drama, and that is exactly what we bring.
We are steady in cases with allegations about parental fitness, substance use, or violence. Protective orders, supervised contact, and safety planning are all used when needed.
Factors Considered in Jupiter Child Relocation Cases
Florida courts consider many factors, always with the child’s well-being at the center. The list below often drives decisions in Jupiter and across Palm Beach County.
- The child’s ties with each parent, siblings, and extended family.
- Each parent’s history of caregiving, involvement at school, and reliability.
- The child’s preference, if the child is mature enough to express one.
- Reasons for moving, such as work, remarriage, or support network, and the good faith behind those reasons.
- Impact on schooling, activities, medical care, and special needs.
- How travel would work, the cost, and who pays.
- Each parent’s willingness to support frequent contact with the other parent.
- Any history of domestic violence, stalking, or substance use.
A strong case addresses each point with facts, not buzzwords. We build a clear record the judge can trust.
Challenging High-Conflict Relocation Disputes
Some relocation cases involve high conflict, financial disputes, or long histories of litigation. We do not shy away from that. We know how to stabilize a volatile situation and keep the focus on the child.
Our team digs into records, timelines, and digital evidence when needed. We work with psychologists, parenting coordinators, and financial analysts to test claims and present reliable conclusions.
In high-stakes disputes, we often use:
- Custody evaluations and risk assessments.
- Business valuation or income tracing for travel cost issues.
- Phone, text, and location data to confirm parenting patterns.
- School and therapy records to verify progress and needs.
We also push back on unfair accusations with firm cross-examination and clean documentation.
Why Choose Kofsky Law for Your Child Relocation Case?
Parents in Jupiter turn to Kofsky Law for calm, focused leadership in hard family cases. We bring courtroom skill and disciplined problem-solving to relocation matters.
Martin Kofsky has years of family law practice with a strong record in relocation disputes. He blends tough advocacy with clear counsel, and he gives clients straight answers when choices are tough.
Our firm limits caseloads so every client gets direct attention. You get quick updates, plain-language advice, and a plan built around your goals and your child’s needs. We work toward agreement when that fits the facts, and we are ready to try the case when it does not.
Contact Kofsky Law for a Free Consultation
If a move is on the horizon, quick action protects your rights and your child’s routine. Feel free to call 561-407-0703 to set up a free consultation or reach us through our website. We will explain the process in plain terms, outline choices, and start building a plan that fits your family. We welcome your questions and are ready to help today.