Wanting to Relocate with my son

[jthmommy]

I reside currently in Florida. My finance just received order (military) to move out of state. I have been divorced for approx. 3 years. My son is about to turn 7. After reviewing my paperwork, it stated that I have "residential" custody and the father and I share custody, it states that the father should have liberal vistation with his son, we have no moving out of state clause.

The father sees his son every other weekend and about one day a week. He seldom pays child support and as far as my sons schooling he could care less about grades, homework etc. I am in NO WAY trying to make him seem bad -just giving the facts. My son loves his father very much and do not want to hurt that relationship, but my son also loves my fiance and I. I would of course make a generous long distance parenting plan, and whatever was necessary to keep their relationship open and healthy.

The father will never agree to this without a fight - can someone please give me some advice on how to handle this or where to even start??

 

[Zephyr]

How will you pay for 100% of the transportation for the generous long distance plan??

It might be easier for you and kiddo to stay put and fiance do the traveling back and forth. This guy isn't even your husband yet- that might matter in court.

 

[Gracie3787]

I reside currently in Florida. My finance just received order (military) to move out of state. I have been divorced for approx. 3 years. My son is about to turn 7. After reviewing my paperwork, it stated that I have "residential" custody and the father and I share custody, it states that the father should have liberal vistation with his son, we have no moving out of state clause.

The father sees his son every other weekend and about one day a week. He seldom pays child support and as far as my sons schooling he could care less about grades, homework etc. I am in NO WAY trying to make him seem bad -just giving the facts. My son loves his father very much and do not want to hurt that relationship, but my son also loves my fiance and I. I would of course make a generous long distance parenting plan, and whatever was necessary to keep their relationship open and healthy.

The father will never agree to this without a fight - can someone please give me some advice on how to handle this or where to even start??

Go to Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : flsenate.gov to read the relocation laws in chapter 61.

 

[jthmommy]

I will pay for 100% of travel expenses for my son to come see his dad. Also, we will be married prior to the orders becoming effective.
What is a resonable plan for vistation? We currently reside in Florida but orders are for Virginia. Web Cam access, spring break, 5 weeks of summer, alternating thanksgiving and Christmas holidays???.....

 

[Zephyr]

google "sample long distance parenting plans" there are tons....see if Dad is agreeable to any of them

 

[jthmommy]

Thank you so much for your help. I want to be fair and realize this is not a good situation for all involved. What to make the right choices (move or not move)

 

[LdiJ]

I will pay for 100% of travel expenses for my son to come see his dad. Also, we will be married prior to the orders becoming effective.
What is a resonable plan for vistation? We currently reside in Florida but orders are for Virginia. Web Cam access, spring break, 5 weeks of summer, alternating thanksgiving and Christmas holidays???.....

In my opinion webcam access is a biggie that is far too underutilized these days.

You are going to probably need to offer more than 5 weeks of summer. Dad should get anywhere from 2/3rds to 3/4's of the summer. Thanksgiving should be alternated but dad should get 1/2 of Christmas Break every year and every Spring Break.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

In my long-distance plan, one school year, kiddo goes to dad's for Thanksgiving & Spring Break; she stays home for Christmas break. The following year, kiddo goes up for the entire Christmas Break and stays home Thanksgiving & Spring Break.

He technically has 1/2 the summer, but generally, I give him about 2/3 to 3/4 of summer break. Now that she is getting older, she's requesting to only go for half the summer.

Dad can call when he wants to talk with her; he works the afternoon shift so he calls when he's on break. They email quite a bit. We've not been successful in getting the webcam to work.

It is worded that if either parent is in the other parent's state, the parents are to arrange any visits. Those visits are for outside of the designated visits of summer & holidays.