Modification, Where to file

[Standingby]

My parenting plan is under the jurisdiction of Florida until I (The Father) move out of the state of Florida. The children live in PA, and I will be relocating within the next year or so to be closer to them and to file a modification order for joint custody.
My questions are: Should I file for joint custody in Florida or in the state I move to?
How close do I need to move to the children in order to have joint custody?

Thank you in advance, as you are always helpful.

[Attorney Howard Iken]

If the mom, dad, and children are not in Florida, you should be able to file for modification in the state where they reside. But you need to check with the law in that state to make sure.

If any of the above remains in Florida, that state retains jurisdiction. From a strategy standpoint, you may want to file in Florida. It will be more difficult for the other side to travel for hearings.

When you check the law of PA, you may find it is more favorable to you in general. Look at all the factors before you make your decision.

Attorney Howard Iken

[Standingby]

I, the father still remain in Florida. I am going to be moving to PA in about a year or so. Should I ask for the State of Florida to grant me 50/50 time share in PA prior to moving there, or will I have to ask the courts in PA to grant me this when I move there?

[Attorney Howard Iken]

You should discuss this with both a Florida and a PA lawyer.

[Yolanda]

I, the father still remain in Florida. I am going to be moving to PA in about a year or so. Should I ask for the State of Florida to grant me 50/50 time share in PA prior to moving there, or will I have to ask the courts in PA to grant me this when I move there?

Hi Standingby, do you check if PA has/accepts Joint parenting?
Remember that was not until 2008 when Charlie Crist signed what Mike Weller started (a year before I think) once refused to accept the old parenting and orthodox model. Now on 2010, two years later, and Charlie Crist is still changing laws according child support, Custody and alimony. It’s good at least the feedback on court side is working.

[Standingby]

Not sure of how they word it, but they do have a shared parenting. When it get closer to the time I will be contacting a PA attorney. I found out that one of my Professors is an attorney and was told I would have to first have an attorney in PA to request Fl to release jurisdiction before I can ask PA to do anything. Not to be a big problem just one of the steps prior to filing for shared parenting.