For many people, part of the freedom of being alive is the ability to move whenever they want to, and go to whereever they want to. However, if you are a majority time-sharing parent for a minor child and there is a court order in place to that effect, then you will need to get court permission in order to proceed.

Court permission to move? You bet!

The Court is concerned only with the best interests of the child. And an important factor in mantaining the best interests of the child is that the child have a loving, stable, and frequent relationship with both of the parents. To protect that relationship, the court will want to know why you intend to move the minor child if the move will negatively affect the relationship with the other parent.

Of course, if you can get the other parent to agree to the move, then there is no issue. With a stipulation, the court will assume that the move is in the best interests of the minor child.

But if the other parent will not agree, then you will need to file a Petition To Relocate The Minor Child with the Court. This may require the services of a Tampa Divorce Attorney.

Regardless of how you choose to proceed, do not move without addressing it with the Court first. Otherwise, you could be subject to civil contempt and the loss of the Majority Time Sharing of Your Child. And no job or relocation is worth that.

For almost 50% of the US population, choosing a divorce attorney is painful but necessary.they have said that a person who represents himself has a fool for a client. And outside of the most simplest of cases, this is true.

Choosing a Tampa divorce attorney is one of the most important investments you will ever make. That is because that Tampa divorce attorney is charged with protecting two of the most important things there are: you relationship with your children, and your financial assets.

To help you in your journey in choosing your divorce lawyer, below I have included a list of factors to consider during your research. While this list is anything but exhaustive, it will give you a firm grasp of the questions you should ask, and the places you should start.

1. Trial Experience: Important, even if you do not intend to go to trial.

This may seem counterintuitive at first: but even if it’s your goal to reach a quick settlement, and to stay out of the courtroom, it is imperative to find an attorney who has been successful litigating inside the courtroom.

Why?

Simply put, the hardened litigator will have the leverage needed to help secure you the best possible settlement. The truth is, many divorce attorneys are intimidated by the courtroom. Often times in settlement negotiations, it is the lawyer who blinks first who concedes the most. If your attorney has extensive experience in the courtroom, he’s going to be more confortable inside the courtroom. That means when push comes to shove, the other side, all things else being equal, will be more likely to bend.

Also, what if a deal cannot be struck, and you end up in a trial? Don’t you want to have a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the courtroom during a trial that may ultimately decide your future visitation schedule with the kids, or who gets the marital home? With so much on the line, find someone who is comfortable inside the courtroom.

2. Find a lawyer who is aggressive and not “over-the-hill”

On the flip side of the coin, be wary of the attorney who tells you he has, “been doing this since you were in diapers”. Sometimes, the older attorney does not have the drive or desire to work your case to the extent neccessary to get the result you need. Do you want the attorney who is hungry enough to work your case up, even if it is Friday after five? or do you want the guy who is always on the golf course. Consider the hunger of the Attorney.

3. Check the Florida Bar website! Check for disciplinary actions

Florida, and all States for that matter, track the disciplinary history of the attorneys that are licensed in the state. For example, in Florida you can go to the website floridabar.org and you can search every attorney in the state. That way, you can check to see if the attorney is currently licensed, and if the attorney is in good standing.

Clearly, the last thing you want to do is hire an attorney that is in bad standing with his licensing board. This will also allow you to see if there is any disciplinary history at all over the last 10 years.

4. Ask around

With such an important decision, doesn’t make sense to ask around? in the old days, the referral might come from a ” friend of a friend”.in the Internet era, with Google places, yelp.com, and other web friendly review sites, it is easy to see what other people are saying about the attorney that you are considering hiring. So fire up the Google, and take a look. There is no easier way so see what others are saying about a Tampa Divorce Attorney in your area.