Expert Tampa Relocation Attorneys

Demand real experience. If you’re trying to relocate, the first question you should ask a potential attorneys is how many relocation trials they have actually tried and prevailed. For most of your potential attorneys, the answer is probably zero. You should not pay for your lawyer’s “on the job training” and hope that they will get a different outcome. Richard Mockler and Angela Leiner have won numerous trials permitting relocation, and we have successfully defended many more. Do not get tied up with someone who has never actually won a relocation trial. Ask hard questions when you are interviewing your attorney.

Tampa Relocation Lawyers for Serious Child Custody and Parenting Plan Cases

A relocation case can change a child’s life overnight. One parent may see a move as a necessary new beginning. The other may see it as the destruction of the parent-child relationship. The court has to decide whether the proposed move is in the child’s best interests, whether the relationship with the nonrelocating parent can be preserved, and whether the relocating parent has proven the case under Florida law.

At Mockler Leiner Law, P.A., our Tampa family law attorneys represent parents in Florida relocation cases involving divorce, paternity, child custody and parenting plans, child custody modifications, child support, and contempt and enforcement. We represent parents who need permission to relocate with a child and parents who need to stop an improper or unsupported relocation.

Relocation cases are different from ordinary time-sharing disputes. The parent seeking to move may be asking for a new job, remarriage, family support, safety, education, lower cost of living, or a fresh start after divorce. The parent opposing the move may be fighting to preserve weekly time-sharing, school involvement, coaching, activities, family connections, and the ordinary day-to-day relationship that cannot be replaced by video calls and summer visits.

Both sides usually believe they are right. The question is whether the evidence proves it.

Why You Need an Attorney Who Has Actually Won Relocation Cases

Relocation litigation is not the place for “on the job training.” A relocation case usually requires fast pleadings, detailed affidavits, a revised parenting plan, transportation logistics, school research, financial evidence, witness preparation, and a trial strategy built around Florida Statute 61.13001.

Our attorneys have won numerous relocation cases. We have also successfully defended many parents against relocation requests that were not supported by adequate facts, planning, or proof.

That experience matters because relocation cases often turn on details:

• Whether the petition is legally sufficient;

• Whether the proposed move is truly in the child’s best interests;

• Whether the new school, home, and support system are proven or speculative;

• Whether the moving parent has a real job offer or only a hope;

• Whether the nonrelocating parent has been meaningfully involved;

• Whether long-distance time-sharing is realistic;

• Whether transportation costs are affordable;

• Whether the move is being requested in good faith;

• Whether the move will destroy the other parent’s relationship with the child;

• Whether the proposed parenting plan is detailed enough for a judge to trust.

A lawyer who has never tried and won a relocation case may not understand how much proof is needed. A parent cannot simply say, “This move is better for me.” The issue is whether the relocation is in the child’s best interests under Florida law.

Florida Relocation Law: The 50-Mile and 60-Day Rule

Florida’s relocation statute is found in section 61.13001, Florida Statutes.

Under Florida law, relocation generally means a change in the location of the principal residence of a parent or other person from that person’s principal place of residence at the time of the last order establishing or modifying time-sharing, or at the time of filing a pending action to establish or modify time-sharing.

The move must be:

• At least 50 miles from that residence; and

• For at least 60 consecutive days.

The 60-day period does not include a temporary absence from the principal residence for purposes of vacation, education, or the provision of health care for the child.

That means a short trip, vacation, medical stay, temporary school-related absence, or brief family visit may not qualify as a statutory relocation. But that does not mean a parent can ignore a parenting plan, change the child’s school, withhold time-sharing, or create a long-distance parenting problem without legal consequences.

What If the Move Is Less Than 60 Days?

If the move or absence is less than 60 consecutive days, it may not meet the statutory definition of relocation under section 61.13001. But the analysis does not end there.

A parent should still consider:

• Whether the move interferes with the existing parenting plan;

• Whether the move changes school enrollment;

• Whether the move affects exchanges, transportation, or extracurricular activities;

• Whether the move violates travel restrictions in the parenting plan;

• Whether the other parent’s consent is required;

• Whether the move is really temporary or part of a longer plan;

• Whether the child is being withheld from the other parent;

• Whether the move creates a basis for enforcement or modification.

A parent who leaves for “less than 60 days” but effectively disrupts the other parent’s court-ordered time-sharing may still face litigation. In serious cases, the other parent may need to file an emergency motion, a motion for enforcement, a motion for contempt, or a petition to modify the parenting plan.

For related issues, visit our pages on contempt and enforcement and child custody modifications.

Relocation by Written Agreement

Not every relocation case has to become a trial. If the parents and every other person entitled to access or time-sharing agree to the relocation, they may satisfy the relocation statute by signing a written agreement.

A relocation agreement should:

• Reflect consent to the relocation;

• Define the post-relocation access or time-sharing schedule;

• Describe transportation arrangements, if necessary;

• Address travel costs;

• Address school-year, summer, holiday, and long-weekend time-sharing;

• Address electronic communication;

• Address exchange locations;

• Address child support if the relocation changes financial circumstances or transportation costs.

If there is already a court case, judgment, decree, parenting plan, or time-sharing order, the parties generally should seek court ratification of the agreement. A handshake agreement is dangerous. A text-message agreement is dangerous. A vague “we will work it out” agreement is dangerous.

If the relocation will affect the child’s schedule, the agreement should be written, detailed, and approved by the court when required.

Petition to Relocate: What Must Be Included?

If there is no agreement, the parent or other person seeking relocation must file a petition to relocate and serve it on the other parent and every other person entitled to access or time-sharing with the child.

The petition must be signed under oath or affirmation under penalty of perjury. Under section 61.13001, Florida Statutes, the petition must include:

• A description of the location of the intended new residence, including the state, city, and specific physical address, if known;

• The mailing address of the intended new residence, if different from the physical address and if known;

• The home telephone number of the intended new residence, if known;

• The date of the intended move or proposed relocation;

• A detailed statement of the specific reasons for the proposed relocation;

• A written job offer attached to the petition if one of the reasons for relocation is based on a written job offer;

• A proposal for the revised post-relocation schedule for access and time-sharing;

• A proposal for post-relocation transportation arrangements necessary to effectuate time-sharing;

• The required statutory notice explaining that any objection must be filed and served within 20 days.

The time-sharing and transportation proposal is not optional. Unless there is already a valid order restricting or terminating access, or another good reason that existed before the petition, failure to include a revised time-sharing and transportation proposal can make the petition legally insufficient.

This is one reason relocation petitions should not be generic. A weak petition can lose before the court ever reaches the merits.

The Required 20-Day Warning

Florida’s relocation statute requires the petition to include a specific warning in capital letters advising the other parent that a written response objecting to relocation must be filed with the court and served on the relocating parent within 20 days after service of the petition.

If the other parent does not timely object, the relocation may be allowed unless it is not in the best interests of the child. The court may enter an order in an expedited manner without an evidentiary hearing.

That deadline matters. If you receive a petition to relocate, do not wait. If you miss the deadline, you may lose leverage before the fight begins.

Answer Objecting to Relocation: What Must Be Included?

A parent opposing relocation must file a verified answer objecting to the proposed relocation.

The objection should not simply say, “I object.” Under Florida law, the objection must include:

• The specific factual basis supporting the reasons for prohibiting the relocation;

• A statement of the amount of participation or involvement the objecting party currently has or has had in the child’s life;

• Facts showing why the relocation is not in the child’s best interests;

• Facts showing how the move would affect the existing relationship with the child;

• Facts addressing the proposed long-distance schedule, travel costs, school issues, and logistics;

• Any facts showing lack of good faith, inadequate planning, or harm to the child.

A strong objection should be factual, detailed, and evidence-based. The court needs more than emotion. The parent opposing relocation should be prepared to prove involvement through calendars, school records, activity records, photographs, messages, medical records, witness testimony, travel records, and evidence of consistent parenting.

What Happens If Someone Just Moves?

A parent should not relocate with a child in violation of section 61.13001. Moving first and asking permission later can create major legal problems.

If a parent relocates the child without complying with the statute, the court may:

• Hold the violating party in contempt;

• Compel the return of the child;

• Treat the unauthorized move as a factor in deciding the relocation request;

• Treat the unauthorized move as a factor in deciding whether the parenting plan or time-sharing schedule should be modified;

• Order the temporary or permanent return of the child;

• Order the relocating parent to pay reasonable expenses and attorney’s fees incurred by the objecting parent;

• Award costs and interim travel expenses related to access, time-sharing, or securing the return of the child.

An unauthorized move can damage the relocating parent’s credibility. It can also create emergency litigation, school disruption, financial exposure, and a record that follows the parent into the final hearing.

If your child has already been moved without consent or court approval, you may need immediate legal action. Depending on the facts, the remedy may involve emergency relief, contempt, return of the child, enforcement of the parenting plan, modification, or appellate review.

Temporary Relocation Orders

Florida law allows temporary relocation orders in appropriate cases. Temporary relocation may be important when a parent receives a time-sensitive job offer, must move quickly for safety reasons, needs family support, or faces circumstances that cannot wait for final trial.

The court may grant a temporary order preventing relocation, ordering the return of the child, or providing other relief if:

• The petition does not comply with the statute;

• The child has already been relocated without written agreement or court approval;

• The evidence at a preliminary hearing shows a likelihood that the court will not approve relocation at final hearing.

The court may grant a temporary order allowing relocation pending final hearing if:

• The petition was properly filed and complies with the statute; and

• The evidence shows a likelihood that the court will approve relocation at final hearing.

A temporary relocation order does not decide the final case. If temporary relocation is allowed, the court may not give weight to the temporary move as a factor in the final decision. The court may also require security or other safeguards to ensure that court-ordered contact with the child is not interrupted.

Priority Hearings and Trials in Relocation Cases

Relocation cases are supposed to move quickly.

Under section 61.13001, an evidentiary hearing or nonjury trial on a temporary or permanent relocation request must receive priority on the court’s calendar. If a motion for temporary relocation is filed, the hearing generally must occur no later than 30 days after the motion is filed, absent good cause. If a notice to set the matter for nonjury trial is filed, the trial generally must occur no later than 90 days after the notice is filed, absent good cause.

That fast timeline changes how relocation cases must be prepared. There may be limited time for discovery, subpoenas, school research, witness preparation, financial analysis, and trial exhibits. Parents should not wait until the last minute to begin building the case.

No Presumption For or Against Relocation

Florida law does not create a presumption in favor of relocation. It also does not create a presumption against relocation.

The parent or other person seeking relocation has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that relocation is in the child’s best interests. If that burden is met, the burden shifts to the nonrelocating parent or other person to show by a preponderance of the evidence that the proposed relocation is not in the child’s best interests.

Relocation cases are not a math test. The statutory factors are not simply counted up like points on a scoreboard. The judge evaluates the facts, credibility, child’s needs, parenting history, logistics, and best interests of the child.

Florida Relocation Factors

In deciding whether to allow temporary or permanent relocation, the court must evaluate the factors in section 61.13001, Florida Statutes.

Those factors include:

• The nature, quality, extent of involvement, and duration of the child’s relationship with the relocating parent and the nonrelocating parent;

• The child’s relationship with siblings, half-siblings, and other significant people in the child’s life;

• The age and developmental stage of the child;

• The child’s needs;

• The likely impact of the relocation on the child’s physical, educational, and emotional development;

• Any special needs of the child;

• The feasibility of preserving the relationship between the child and the nonrelocating parent through substitute arrangements;

• The logistics of contact, access, time-sharing, and transportation;

• The financial circumstances of the parties;

• Whether the substitute arrangements will foster a continuing meaningful relationship between the child and the nonrelocating parent;

• The likelihood that the relocating parent will comply with substitute arrangements after leaving the court’s jurisdiction;

• The child’s preference, depending on age and maturity;

• Whether relocation will enhance the general quality of life for the relocating parent and the child;

• Financial benefits, emotional benefits, and educational opportunities;

• The reasons each parent is seeking or opposing relocation;

• The current employment and economic circumstances of each parent;

• Whether relocation is necessary to improve the economic circumstances of the relocating parent;

• Whether the relocation is sought in good faith;

• Whether the objecting parent has fulfilled financial obligations, including child support, spousal support, marital property obligations, and marital debt obligations;

• The career and other opportunities available to the objecting parent if relocation occurs;

• Any history of substance abuse or domestic violence;

• Any other factor affecting the best interests of the child, including the factors under section 61.13.

A parent seeking relocation should build evidence for each important factor. A parent opposing relocation should do the same. Judges decide these cases based on proof, not assumptions.

Relocation in Divorce Cases

Relocation may arise during a pending Florida divorce or after a final judgment has already been entered.

During a Florida divorce, relocation may affect:

• The parenting plan;

• Temporary time-sharing;

• School designation;

• Child support;

• Transportation costs;

• Alimony;

• Equitable distribution of the marital home;

• A spouse’s ability to work;

• A spouse’s need for family support;

• Military or employment-related moves;

• Whether the case settles or goes to trial.

A parent going through divorce should not assume that filing for divorce gives either parent the right to leave the area with the child. If the move meets the statutory definition of relocation, the parent generally needs written agreement or court approval.

Divorce cases involving relocation often overlap with financial issues. A parent may want to move because the marital home is being sold, the parent cannot afford to remain in Tampa Bay, a new job is available elsewhere, or family support exists in another state. Those facts may matter, but the court’s focus remains the child’s best interests.

For financial issues that may overlap with relocation, see our pages on child support, alimony, and equitable distribution.

Relocation in Paternity Cases

Relocation also applies in paternity cases. Parents who were never married still may need a parenting plan, time-sharing schedule, child support order, and relocation analysis.

Paternity relocation cases can be especially difficult because the parents may never have lived together, may have informal time-sharing, or may dispute the level of the other parent’s involvement. A mother may want to move closer to family after separation. A father may be trying to establish parental rights before the child is moved away. Either parent may claim the other is using relocation to gain control.

Important paternity relocation issues may include:

• Whether paternity has been legally established;

• Whether there is an existing parenting plan;

• Whether a parent is on the birth certificate and entitled to access or time-sharing;

• Whether a pending action to establish time-sharing has been filed;

• The child’s actual historical schedule;

• The involvement of each parent;

• The availability of extended family support;

• The child’s age, school status, daycare, and medical needs;

• Whether relocation would make a developing parent-child relationship impossible.

If a paternity case is pending, a parent should not assume there are no relocation rules simply because a final parenting plan has not yet been entered. The timing of the pending action and the child’s residence can matter.

Relocation After Final Judgment

Relocation often occurs after a final divorce judgment, paternity judgment, or parenting plan has already been entered. A parent may remarry, lose a job, receive a promotion, need family help, want to return to a hometown, or face financial pressure after divorce.

Post-judgment relocation usually requires careful coordination with modification issues. If relocation is approved, the court may need to modify:

• The regular time-sharing schedule;

• Holiday time-sharing;

• Summer time-sharing;

• Transportation responsibilities;

• Exchange locations;

• Electronic communication;

• School designation;

• Decision-making provisions;

• Child support;

• Travel cost allocations.

For broader post-judgment issues, visit our page on modifications.

Relocation by the Majority Time-Sharing Parent

Some parents assume that the parent with majority time-sharing can automatically relocate. That is not true.

A majority time-sharing parent may have a stronger argument in some cases because the child already lives primarily with that parent. But the statute still applies if the move meets the relocation definition and materially affects the other parent’s contact, access, or time-sharing.

The court will consider the existing schedule, but the court will also examine:

• The nonrelocating parent’s actual involvement;

• Whether the move will damage the child’s relationship with the other parent;

• Whether a long-distance schedule can preserve a meaningful relationship;

• Whether the relocating parent is acting in good faith;

• Whether the benefits to the child justify the loss of frequent local contact.

Majority time-sharing is not a relocation blank check.

Relocation by the Minority Time-Sharing Parent

Relocation can also matter when the parent moving is not the parent with majority time-sharing. A parent with alternating weekends, substantial overnights, or even more limited time-sharing may still be subject to relocation rules if the move meets the statutory definition and affects the child’s schedule.

A minority time-sharing parent who moves away may need a modified long-distance parenting plan. The move may affect child support, transportation costs, extracurricular activities, holidays, and summer time-sharing. If the move substantially affects the current schedule, the parent should address the issue before creating a violation or future enforcement problem.

Long-Distance Parenting Plans After Relocation

A relocation order should not simply say that one parent may move. It should create a workable long-distance parenting plan.

A serious long-distance parenting plan may address:

• School-year contact;

• Summer time-sharing;

• Thanksgiving break;

• Winter break;

• Spring break;

• Long weekends;

• Teacher planning days;

• Transportation costs;

• Airline tickets;

• Unaccompanied minor fees;

• Which airport will be used;

• Who buys tickets;

• Who transports the child to and from the airport;

• What happens if a flight is missed or cancelled;

• Passport and travel-document rules;

• Video calls and telephone contact;

• Access to school records and medical records;

• Extracurricular activities;

• Notice of travel plans;

• Make-up time-sharing;

• Restrictions on unilateral schedule changes.

Vague long-distance schedules create future litigation. The court order should be specific enough that both parents know what happens when conflict arises.

Child Support and Transportation Costs After Relocation

Relocation can affect child support. If relocation is approved, the court may specify how transportation costs are allocated and may adjust child support as appropriate under the Florida child support guidelines.

Transportation costs can be significant. A long-distance schedule may require flights, gas, hotels, rental cars, unaccompanied minor fees, passport expenses, and missed work. The court may consider the parents’ net incomes, the cost of travel, and the overall financial circumstances of the parties.

Child support and relocation should be addressed together. A relocation order that ignores transportation costs may create future disputes.

For more information, visit our page on Florida child support.

Domestic Violence, Safety, and Relocation

Some relocation cases involve safety concerns. A parent may seek relocation because of domestic violence, stalking, coercive control, substance abuse, or unsafe behavior. In those cases, the relocation analysis may overlap with injunctions, supervised time-sharing, exchange restrictions, confidentiality concerns, and protective orders.

Florida’s relocation statute allows the court to consider a history of substance abuse or domestic violence. Safety issues can affect whether relocation is in the child’s best interests and whether long-distance time-sharing should be supervised, restricted, or structured with protective safeguards.

A parent seeking relocation for safety reasons should be prepared to prove the facts. A parent opposing relocation should be prepared to address whether the safety allegations are supported, exaggerated, unrelated to the child, or capable of being addressed through a less drastic parenting plan.

For related information, visit our pages on domestic violence injunctions, supervised time-sharing, and mental health issues in family law.

Parental Alienation and Relocation

Relocation can become part of a larger pattern of alienation or gatekeeping. A parent may claim the move is about employment or family support when the real purpose is to limit the other parent’s relationship with the child. In other cases, the objecting parent may claim alienation simply because the other parent has a legitimate reason to move.

The evidence matters.

Relocation cases involving alienation may require proof of:

• Interference with phone calls or video calls;

• Withholding time-sharing;

• Negative statements about the other parent;

• Refusal to share school or medical information;

• False abuse claims;

• Last-minute schedule changes;

• Failure to encourage the parent-child relationship;

• Plans that make long-distance contact unrealistic;

• A history of violating court orders.

For more information, visit our page on parental alienation.

Military Relocation, Deployment, and PCS Orders

Military families face relocation issues that civilian families often do not. A servicemember may receive Permanent Change of Station orders. A military spouse may need to move after separation. A parent may be deployed, assigned overseas, or transferred to another state. The child may have already lived in multiple states, countries, schools, or base communities.

PCS orders can provide a legitimate reason for a move, but military orders do not automatically decide whether a parent may relocate with the child. If the move meets Florida’s relocation statute, the parent may still need written agreement or court approval.

Deployment is different from relocation. Deployment may create temporary time-sharing, caretaking, communication, and child support issues. A PCS or long-term move may trigger relocation analysis.

For military-specific custody and relocation issues, visit our page on Tampa military divorce. For more detailed military divorce and relocation guidance, visit our military divorce resource pages on deployment and custody issues, military child custody, and relocation in military divorce.

Evidence That Matters in a Relocation Case

Relocation cases are evidence-heavy. A parent should not walk into court with only opinions and hope. In our experience at actual relocation trials, many parents fail to prove how the proposed relocation is in the child’s best interests. And, often times, the failure is because the parent seeking relocation could not get their documents and testimony into evidence. We understand evidence.

Evidence may include:

• The current parenting plan;

• Calendars showing actual time-sharing;

• School records;

• Attendance records;

• Report cards;

• Daycare records;

• Medical records;

• Therapy records;

• Activity schedules;

• Coaching or volunteer involvement;

• Travel records;

• Job offers;

• Pay information;

• Housing documents;

• Lease or purchase documents;

• Cost-of-living comparisons;

• School comparisons;

• Evidence of family support;

• Text messages and emails;

• Photos and videos showing parental involvement;

• Witness testimony;

• Evidence of domestic violence, substance abuse, or instability;

• Evidence of compliance or noncompliance with existing orders.

The best relocation cases are organized early. Waiting until trial to think about proof is a mistake.

Common Reasons Parents Seek Relocation

Parents seek relocation for many reasons. Some are strong. Some are weak. Some are real but not enough.

Common reasons include:

• A written job offer;

• A promotion;

• Better income;

• Lower cost of living;

• Remarriage;

• Moving closer to extended family;

• Childcare support;

• Better schools;

• Safety concerns;

• Domestic violence;

• Medical care;

• Educational opportunities;

• Military reassignment;

• Loss of housing;

• Financial necessity after divorce;

• Returning to a support system after separation.

The reason for the move matters, but it is not the entire case. The court still evaluates the child’s best interests and the impact on the nonrelocating parent’s relationship with the child.

Common Reasons Parents Oppose Relocation

A parent opposing relocation may have strong reasons to object.

Common reasons include:

• The move would destroy frequent time-sharing;

• The relocating parent has not proven a real benefit to the child;

• The move primarily benefits the relocating parent;

• The proposed school is not better;

• The job offer is speculative;

• Housing is uncertain;

• The relocation plan is vague;

• Transportation costs are unaffordable;

• The relocating parent has a history of withholding time-sharing;

• The child has strong ties to Tampa Bay;

• The child has special needs or local providers;

• The nonrelocating parent has been deeply involved;

• The child’s extended family, school, activities, and support system are local;

• The move is being requested in bad faith.

A strong objection should show the court what the child would lose and why the proposed substitute schedule is not enough.

Relocation and Mediation

Many relocation cases settle, but settlement requires precision. A relocation agreement should not leave major issues unresolved.

Relocation mediation may address:

• Whether relocation will be allowed;

• The relocation date;

• School choice;

• Summer time-sharing;

• Holiday time-sharing;

• Travel costs;

• Exchange locations;

• Electronic communication;

• Child support adjustments;

• Tax exemptions;

• Passport issues;

• Activity conflicts;

• Make-up time;

• Future moves;

• Return-to-Florida provisions if the move fails.

Our firm handles family law mediation and represents clients in relocation mediation. Richard Mockler was a certified mediator for more than 15 years, and our attorneys understand both the settlement and trial sides of relocation litigation. That perspective matters because a settlement should be drafted with enforcement in mind.

Appeals in Relocation Cases

Relocation orders can have enormous consequences. If a trial court makes a legal error, fails to apply the statute, omits required findings, violates due process, or enters an order not supported by competent substantial evidence, appellate review may be necessary.

Relocation appeals can involve:

• Failure to apply section 61.13001;

• Insufficient findings;

• Due process problems;

• A legally insufficient petition;

• Relief not properly pled;

• Lack of evidence supporting the relocation order;

• Improper temporary relocation rulings;

• Orders that fail to address time-sharing or transportation.

Appeals are deadline-driven. If you receive a relocation order that may be legally defective, you should seek advice quickly.

For more information, visit our page on family law appeals.

What We’ve Achieved in Relocation Cases

Our relocation experience includes real courtroom results.

We have:

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Chicago to live with her new husband;

• Successfully obtained custody for a father where the mother relocated to Alaska without agreement or court permission;

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Pennsylvania for a new position and to be closer to maternal family;

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a wife to relocate to New Jersey after the husband engaged in drug use and domestic violence;

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Puerto Rico so the children could enjoy maternal family and culture;

• Successfully defended a father in a relocation case where the mother claimed she needed to move because of job loss in Florida and company placement in New York;

• Successfully defended numerous relocation cases not supported by adequate justification or evidence;

• Successfully obtained dismissal of inadequate or nonconforming relocation petitions;

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Miami to care for ailing parents;

• Successfully obtained emergency orders preventing improper relocations;

• Successfully obtained temporary orders allowing parents to relocate under time-sensitive circumstances;

• Successfully obtained an order permitting relocation for a mother to attend school;

• Successfully defended a father in a relocation case where the mother sought to move with a special needs child to Miami;

• Successfully defended a hotel manager whose wife sought to move to San Francisco to live rent-free with a relative.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. But experience matters. In relocation cases, preparation, credibility, and trial judgment can make the difference.

Relocation Lawyers Serving Tampa Bay and Surrounding Areas

Mockler Leiner Law, P.A. represents parents in relocation, child custody, divorce, paternity, modification, and enforcement cases throughout Tampa Bay and surrounding areas, including Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Pasco County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Polk County, and Hernando County.

From our Tampa office, we serve clients in Tampa, Hyde Park, Westchase, Carrollwood, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Lithia, Fish Hawk, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Lutz, Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Sun City Center, Largo, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Dade City, Spring Hill, Brooksville, Lakeland, and the surrounding areas.

Speak With a Tampa Relocation Attorney

If you are trying to relocate with your child, the petition must be detailed, verified, and supported by evidence. If you are trying to stop a relocation, your objection must be filed quickly and built on facts. If the other parent has already moved, you may need immediate court action.

Relocation cases move fast. The decisions made at the beginning of the case can affect your child, your parenting time, your finances, and your future relationship with your child.

If you are interested in speaking with an experienced Tampa family law attorney about a relocation case, please call us today at (813) 331-5699 or contact us online.

What we’ve achieved in actual litigated Florida relocation cases

• Successfully obtained relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Chicago to live with her new husband.

• Successfully obtained custody of a child for father where the mother relocated to Alaska without an agreement or court permission.

• Successfully obtained a court order allowing a mother to relocate to Pennsylvania for a new position and to be closer to the maternal family.

• Successfully obtained court order allowing a Wife to relocate to New Jersey after the Husband engaged in drug use and domestic violence.

• Successfully obtained relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Puerto Rico so that the children could enjoy the maternal family and learn their culture.

• Successfully defended father in relocation case where mother claimed she needed to move due to loss of her job in Florida and placement by her company in New York.

• Successfully defended numerous relocation cases not supported by adequate justification or evidence.

• Successfully obtained dismissal of numerous inadequate or non-conforming relocation petitions.

• Successfully obtained a relocation order allowing a mother to relocate to Miami to care for her ailing parents.

• Successfully obtained emergency orders preventing relocations.

• Successfully obtained temporary orders allowing parents to relocate under time—sensitive circumstances.

• Successfully obtained order permitting relocation for mother to attend school. 

• Successfully defended father in relocation case where mother claimed she needed to move with their special needs child to Miami to live with her family.

• Successfully defended hotel manager whose wife wanted to move to San Francisco to live rent-free with a relative.