Florida Statute § 61.13001 defines relocation as any change in a child's principal residence of more than 50 miles from the current residence, lasting longer than 60 consecutive days. The statute excludes temporary absences for vacation, education, or medical care. When a proposed move clears both thresholds — distance and duration — the relocating parent must either obtain the other parent's written consent or file a petition with the court before moving. Proceeding without one of those two authorizations exposes the relocating parent to contempt findings and potential reversal of the relocation.
Parents in Coral Springs sometimes assume that a move within Broward County or to a neighboring county falls outside the statute. The 50-mile calculation is based on straight-line distance, and moves to parts of Palm Beach County or Miami-Dade County can trigger the requirement even when the cities feel geographically close. Brodzki Jacobs advises clients on whether a contemplated move requires formal action before any plans are finalized, preventing procedural missteps that complicate the case later.
