When a parent seeks to relocate with a child, Florida law requires the court to carefully evaluate whether the move serves the best interests of the child. Dr. Scott C. Rosiere provides comprehensive forensic relocation evaluations that address the psychological and developmental factors relevant to these high-stakes decisions under Florida Statute 61.13001.

Florida's Relocation Statute

Under Florida Statute 61.13001, a parent who wishes to relocate more than 50 miles from their current residence for a period of 60 consecutive days or more must either obtain written agreement from the other parent or petition the court for permission. The statute enumerates specific factors the court must consider, including the nature and quality of the child's relationships with each parent, the age and developmental stage of the child, the feasibility of preserving the non-relocating parent's relationship, and the child's preference when appropriate.

Relocation cases are among the most complex and consequential matters in family law because the court must weigh competing interests—a parent's right to move against the child's need for stability and continuity in both parental relationships. Judges cannot resolve these cases on the basis of legal arguments alone; they need expert psychological data to understand the attachment dynamics between the child and each parent, the likely developmental impact of the proposed relocation, and the feasibility of maintaining meaningful contact with the non-relocating parent. A forensic relocation evaluation provides the court with precisely this type of evidence-based analysis, grounded in the scientific literature on child development, attachment, and family transitions.

For attorneys handling relocation cases, the forensic evaluation is a strategic necessity. Whether you represent the relocating or non-relocating parent, expert testimony that addresses each statutory factor with clinical specificity gives your case the evidentiary weight that arguments from counsel and lay testimony alone cannot achieve. Courts are increasingly receptive to well-conducted forensic evaluations in relocation matters, recognizing that the psychological complexities of these cases require the specialized knowledge that only a qualified forensic psychologist can provide.

What the Evaluation Addresses

Dr. Rosiere's relocation evaluations are specifically designed to provide the court with forensic psychological data relevant to the statutory factors, including:

• The quality and nature of the child's relationship with each parent and other significant persons in the child's life

• The child's developmental needs and how the proposed relocation would affect the child's emotional, social, and educational adjustment

• The child's attachment relationships and the psychological impact of disrupting established bonds

• The relocating parent's reasons for the proposed move and the non-relocating parent's reasons for opposing it

• The feasibility and quality of proposed revised timesharing arrangements

• Each parent's demonstrated willingness to facilitate the child's relationship with the other parent

• The child's expressed preferences, when developmentally appropriate

Methodology

Relocation evaluations typically involve clinical interviews with both parents, psychological testing, observation of parent-child interactions, child interviews when appropriate, collateral contacts, and thorough record review. Dr. Rosiere's assessment is tailored to the specific circumstances of each case and is responsive to the questions raised by the court or retaining attorney.

Expert Testimony in Relocation Cases

Dr. Rosiere is experienced in providing expert testimony in relocation proceedings and can clearly articulate the psychological factors that support or weigh against the proposed move. His testimony addresses how the relocation would affect the child's developmental trajectory, attachment relationships, and overall adjustment.

In relocation proceedings, the forensic report often becomes the central document around which the court's analysis turns. Dr. Rosiere's reports address each statutory factor under Florida Statute 61.13001 with specificity, integrating clinical interview data, psychological test findings, behavioral observations, and collateral information into a coherent narrative that helps judges understand the likely impact of the proposed relocation on the child's psychological well-being and developmental trajectory. His testimony further assists the court by translating complex attachment research and developmental psychology into practical, legally relevant conclusions that directly inform the relocation determination.