Thinking Of Making A Move? How To Protect Your Rights To Child Custody In Fort Lauderdale

Whether for a new job, to be closer to family members, or for other reasons, moving out of state can help you make a fresh start.  However, for divorced or single parents, it can have a significant impact on child custody arrangements in Fort Lauderdale.

In Florida, the law treats relocation as a major custody issue. Whether you have primary custody or visitation, find out how Fort Lauderdale courts handle child relocation requests and how to protect your rights.

What Florida Law Says About Moving With Your Child

When parents divorce or separate, parenting plans determine their rights and obligations regarding child custody. This includes the child’s primary residence and visitation on weekends, school breaks, and holidays.

Under the Florida Statutes (Section 61.13001), once a parenting plan is in place, neither party can move the child more than 50 miles away without permission from the other parent or a court order. Here’s how the Broward County Family Court reviews relocation requests:

• The moving parent must file a petition explaining the reason for relocation, the new address, and a proposed time-sharing schedule.
• The court considers how the move affects the child’s education, family relationships, emotional health, and overall best interests.
• Judges want to see that the move benefits the child and isn’t intended to cut the other parent out.
• Courts weigh whether the non-relocating parent can still maintain a meaningful relationship.

In short, relocation shouldn’t be about punishing one parent. The goal is to determine what’s truly best for the child.

How To Protect Your Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Rights

While the Sunshine State has seen a boom in the number of new residents in recent years, a 2025 Newsweek report claims that high housing costs and fierce competition for jobs are now causing more people to move out than in.

Whether you are considering moving out of state or the other parent is relocating, take these steps to protect yourself and your rights to custody:

• Build a strong argument, showing how a move potentially impacts your child.
• Show respect for the other parent by proposing realistic visitation and travel arrangements.
• Be cooperative, as judges favor parents who communicate and act in good faith.
• If you oppose the move, don’t wait. File an objection quickly.

What if you are a non-custodial parent and want to make a move? You should still inform the court before relocating. Not doing so could be viewed as abandonment and could jeopardize your parental rights in the future.

Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Child Custody Attorney Before Making A Move

Whether you’re trying to move or fighting to keep your child close, get the professional legal help you need from the Law Office of Sandra Bonfiglio.

We support Fort Lauderdale parents and provide the legal guidance they need to navigate relocation petitions, emergency motions, and contested child custody hearings. To protect your parenting rights, reach out today and request a consultation with our experienced Fort Lauderdale child custody attorney.

newsweek.com/number-people-moving-texas-florida-cities-plummets-2060831

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.13001.html

flcourts.gov/Services/Family-Courts/domestic-relations-court-resources/family-law-forms/Parenting-Plan-12.995-Forms-A-C