Florida’s relocation law requires court approval before a parent moves more than 50 miles with a child.
Key Takeaways:
- Relocation means moving 50+ miles for 60 or more days.
- The other parent has 20 days to object in writing.
- Courts weigh the child’s best interests, not either parent’s preference.
A new job offer two states away. A family member who needs help. A fresh start somewhere quieter. Reasons to move don’t stop just because there’s a time-sharing order in place, but the process for actually doing it gets a lot more complicated.
If you’re a Florida parent thinking about relocating with your child, understanding the legal process now prevents a decision made in good faith from turning into a contempt charge later.
What Counts as Relocation Under Florida Law
Florida’s relocation statute defines relocation as moving your principal residence at least 50 miles from where it was at the time of your last time-sharing order, for 60 consecutive days or more. Short trips for vacation, education, or medical care don’t count.
That 50-mile threshold applies whether the move is across the county or across the country. The distance is measured as a straight line on a map, not by driving distance, so a move that feels close by car can still cross the legal threshold.
This requirement applies regardless of which parent has more time-sharing. Even a parent with the majority of overnights must follow the relocation process before moving, not after.
The Notice You’re Required to Send
Before relocating, you must serve formal written notice on the other parent and anyone else with court-ordered time-sharing or access rights. The notice must include:
- The new address, if known
- The date of the intended move
- The reasons for relocating
- A proposed revised time-sharing schedule
- A copy of any written job offer, if the move is employment-related
Vague or undocumented reasons weaken your position before the case even reaches a judge.
Skipping the notice requirement carries real consequences. A parent who relocates without following this process can face contempt of court, an order requiring the immediate return of the child, and a modification of time-sharing that favors the other parent.
Informal notice doesn’t count. The notice must be served through the same process used for legal pleadings, or by certified mail with restricted delivery and a return receipt. A text message or conversation doesn’t satisfy the statute, even if the other parent acknowledges it.
When the Other Parent Objects
The other parent has 20 days after being served to file a written objection. If no objection is filed within that window, the relocation can move forward without a hearing, as long as the court still finds it serves the child’s best interests.
If an objection is filed, the case heads to a hearing where a judge decides based on the evidence presented, not on which parent moved fastest or argued loudest.
- The relocating parent carries the burden of proof. You have to show the move benefits your child, not just yourself.
- Florida law sets no presumption either way. A judge isn’t required to favor the parent who wants to relocate or the parent who wants to stay.
- Temporary relocation orders move quickly. If a motion for temporary relocation is filed, the hearing generally happens within 30 days, which matters if a job start date or a lease can’t wait for a full trial.
What Judges Actually Look At
Florida courts weigh a specific list of factors when relocation is contested, and understanding them shapes how you build your case.
The child’s relationship with both parents comes first. Judges look at how involved each parent has been and whether the move would meaningfully disrupt that bond.
The reason for the move matters just as much as the distance. A documented job opportunity or a need to be near extended family carries more weight than a vague desire for change. Courts also look closely at whether the move appears designed to limit the other parent’s access.
Whether the non-relocating parent’s relationship can be preserved through a revised schedule, extended summer time, or a substitute arrangement factors heavily into the decision. Arriving with a thoughtful plan already mapped out demonstrates good faith.
The child’s preference, weighed according to age and maturity, can also factor in, particularly for older children with clearly expressed wishes.
If You’re the Parent Who Doesn’t Want the Move
Receiving a relocation notice starts a clock. You have 20 days to file a formal written objection, and missing that deadline can mean losing your chance to be heard at all.
File your objection immediately. Waiting even a few extra days past the 20-day window to consult an attorney can mean the difference between having a voice in the process and having none at all.
Document your involvement now, before a notice ever arrives. School pickups, medical appointments, extracurricular activities. Records kept over time are far easier to present than ones reconstructed after the fact.
Know that timing can decide the outcome regardless of how strong your underlying argument is. A relocation dispute is one of the few family law issues where the clock matters as much as the evidence.
Building a Relocation Case That Holds Up
Whether you’re the parent who wants to move or the parent fighting to keep your child close, the strength of your case depends on documentation built well before you ever walk into a courtroom.
That includes a clear written record of your reasons, your child’s current routine, and a realistic proposed schedule that shows you’ve thought through how the relationship with the other parent continues. The same preparation applies in reverse if you’re opposing a move: a documented history of involvement speaks louder in front of a judge than a strongly worded objection alone.
Getting legal guidance early in a relocation question often prevents a documentation gap from becoming a courtroom disadvantage later. Relocation cases move quickly once a notice is served, and the decisions made in the first few days tend to shape everything that follows.
Why Representation Matters in Relocation Cases
Relocation is one of the more technical areas of Florida family law. The notice requirements are specific, the deadlines are strict, and a single missed step can affect the outcome regardless of how reasonable your position is.
Having an attorney who understands the process on both sides, filing and opposing, makes a real difference in how prepared you are when the clock starts.
At Florida Women’s Law Group, we represent women exclusively in divorce and family law across Florida, and relocation is one of the areas where that focus matters most. We understand what’s at stake on both sides of the request.
- We’ve guided Jacksonville-area women through relocation petitions on both sides of the request, whether moving or objecting.
- We build relocation notices and objections that meet every statutory requirement, since a single missed detail can delay or derail a case.
- Our team understands how relocation intersects with time-sharing and parental responsibility, not just the 50-mile rule in isolation.
Divorce for women, by women. Book a preliminary call today and let’s talk about what relocation looks like for your family.
