Wanting to move to Florida

[harmsmom]

My question is simple. Me and the guy I have been dating for two years absolutely love florida. We want to move there because we love the environments and what it could offer my kids. My ex husband has not seen my kids until very recently when his child support increased and he feels the only way to lower the child support is to see the kids. We just want a better life for our kids and ourselves and feel like we can make a real go of the situation. There is nothing in the divorce papers about moving out of state or limitations but we do have joint custody and he does pay child support just not alot of vistation. What are my chances? I'm miserable in Tennessee and feel like I can get a fresh start from Florida and the guy i've been dating has had a job offer. There again, someone says that we have to be married. I don't want to force something that we're not ready for as far as marriage but will be working toward in the future. Can we use a playing card of letting my ex husband lower the child support if he lets us go to florida and what kinds of changes are courts looking for to grant permission as i know my ex will try to stop us. Not because he cares, just because it's drama....his favorite food.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I don't see any clear authority on what Tennessee would require to approve a move, but I would estimate that you would have to prove it in the children's best interest, and that your purpose in moving is not to deprive the father of his custodial rights and ability to see the kids.

[harmsmom]

So, in other words, if we move to Florida for employment and to better our standard of living. We would have a good chance of going as long as we set up visitaion and agree that the kids can come back as they wish. We have no problem with that. That would be great. Is this what your saying? Just to make sure.

My boyfriend has an opportunity to move to florida to become a cop and with the skills that I have, I would have a job in no time. However, from reading the other forums, would i have to give thirty days. It would be really hard to get an employer to hold a job for someone for that long. Is there an easier way to approach that and how hard would it be to convince a judge that we aren't trying to move to take the kids away from anyone. We just want a better life and better jobs?

[Mr. Knowitall]

As I can't find a clear statement of Tennessee's legal standards, I cannot assess what might meet those standards. I suggest you consult a local family lawyer.