I have a court order in FL for my son who I coparent with his father. Our arrangement is 60/40 with me having majority and being his primary residence most of the year and for school. I am currently pregnant with my Fiance and Is first child, would this give me an option to redo that custody... View More
answered on Oct 22, 2023
The legal standard is what is best for your child, not what is best for you and your fiancé. If the father does not agree then you must go to court to change the timesharing. There are many factors that the court has to consider. Florida wants a child to have meaningful contact with both parents.... View More
As a father I was awarded 100% custody of our two young children through a domestic violence injunction order. Mother responded with a petition for paternity. I wasn't able to afford legal representation for trial on September 29th and somewhat poorly represented myself and the interest of our... View More
answered on Oct 19, 2023
Technically, you should follow whatever the judge orders, even if it is verbal. The written order should match what was said verbally. If you have an issue with what you should do then you must return to court to ask for clarification. If you have concerns about the children missing school when... View More
We were married in Dec 2012, he moved out in June 2016 and we saw him one time in June 2016 after that. He moved out and became an absent parent after DCF opened a case against him for substance use and the case was closed after he continued to refuse to take a drug test. And being absent until Dec... View More
answered on Oct 9, 2023
You need to answer his petition for divorce and explain everything that has happened over the past several years. The court will order timesharing based on what is in the best interests of the children. It sounds like you can demonstrate that the father has not been involved in the lives of the... View More
She’s a green card holder. I’m a us citizen. The kids are citizens also. Can I.C.E. deport her and separate from kids? Does my 20% child custody go to 100% with her deported? What can I do as father and exhusband to help?
answered on Oct 14, 2023
Aggravated battery against a pregnant woman is a serious offense and can be considered a crime of moral turpitude or an aggravated felony under immigration law. Green card holders convicted of such offenses are at risk of deportation. If she's deported, it may impact custody arrangements, but... View More
She’s a green card holder. I’m a us citizen. The kids are citizens also. Can I.C.E. deport her and separate from kids? Does my 20% child custody go to 100% with her deported? What can I do as father and exhusband to help?
answered on Oct 6, 2023
If she is convicted, she is likely at risk for deportation. She needs to schedule a consultation with an
immigration attorney, as well a consult with the attorney representing her in the criminal court regarding any chances to prevent conviction or other result that could lead to... View More
My children have missed their prescribed weekend with me three times in the last 2 months. I believe this makes it necessary to file for her to be held in contempt. She also started working recently, as she was formerly on disability, so I need to renegotiate child support as well.
answered on Sep 18, 2023
To find pro bono legal assistance for child support and custody matters in Florida, you can start by reaching out to local legal aid organizations, the Florida Bar Association's pro bono program, and nearby law schools that may have clinics or programs offering free legal services.... View More
I am currently married but seperated and I would like to set up custody arrangements so that my spouse can see our child. If I do that before the divorce will that affect child support payments?
answered on Aug 30, 2023
The two parents can voluntarily enter into a parenting plan. As long as you both agree and sign then it is a binding contract between the two of you which can be used later if you divorce. Technically there is no child support due while you remain married. Once child support begins it will be based... View More
I live in Texas and my daughter lives in Florida. Long story short, before moving to TX I did not see my daughter for 8 months because the mother decided she wanted to stop coming to court ordered custody exchanges. The judge did not take that lightly and she was found in contempt and the judge... View More
answered on Aug 30, 2023
You do not mention if you have ever been to court regarding the child. If there is an existing court case in Florida then you can file a motion for electronic communication with the child. If there is no court case then you must file a petition for paternity (assuming that you are not married).... View More
Do we get 50/50 or how does it work
answered on Aug 25, 2023
The court will order timesharing that is in the best interests of the child. If you are both capable parents and are able to care for the child then you can pursue 50/50. It may be a little different with an infant because frequency of contact is more important than length of time. Speak with a... View More
Child asked to go to a sleepover birthday party during father timesharing weekend. Father does not wish to travel to take child. Father states that mother should make arrangements with his mother for the entirety of his timesharing weekend. He would not be with child, however seeking to pawn off... View More
answered on Aug 24, 2023
The father is responsible for his timesharing. You do not need to make arrangements with his mother. You do not mention how the exchange is handled or how old the child is. Normally a parenting plan says that if a parent does not show up to exercise timesharing after a certain period of time the... View More
My son's girlfriend took their three-year-old to New Jersey for 2 years against my son's wishes. She would not send pictures or facetime. My son did not have the money to fight it in court. She put him in an abusive home and called my son to come get him because she could not take care... View More
answered on Aug 18, 2023
Legally, until your son goes to court the mother has all of the legal rights regarding the child. He can file a paternity case in Florida, however the court may not rule on custody until the child has lived here for six months. Multi-state family cases can be complex so speak with a local family... View More
I am a full time single mom and the dad doesn’t help do anything but “FaceTimes”, we are married and I am looking to move to increase income. There’s no custody order or anything regarding the court. I’m not ready for a divorce until I’m financially set. Can I move out of Florida though... View More
answered on Aug 17, 2023
Yes you can move; however, if your husband files for divorce here it is possible that you would be ordered to return. The better course is to tell him what you are doing and why. Regarding filing elsewhere, most states require that you live there six months before you can file for divorce. Speak... View More
My wife and I agreed to a "short version" marriage settlement agreement back in Dec. 2022. I get 5 days/week timesharing with our son, she gets 2. The child support was based on this timesharing plan.
Since Dec. 2022, she has not seen our son once and the divorce is not final.... View More
answered on Aug 8, 2023
Child support and timesharing are always modifiable until the children emancipate. You should keep a calendar and record every overnight that mom misses. You can use that as evidence when you seek to modify. You could also file the modification now. Your case is open, the agreement is binding, and... View More
My wife and I agreed to a "short version" marriage settlement agreement back in Dec. 2022. I get 5 days/week timesharing with our son, she gets 2. The child support was based on this timesharing plan.
Since Dec. 2022, she has not seen our son once and the divorce is not final.... View More
answered on Aug 12, 2023
Additional facts are necessary to determine the feasibility of proceeding with the entry of the final judgment. Factors to consider include the new law, distance between the parties' residences, income of the parties, and whether there are facts indicating that even two overnights per week... View More
My sons stays with me (his mother) I took him to stay with his dad for 2 weeks he was supposed to come back but it has been a month and his father will not send him back to me because I won’t let him get food stamps for my child because he stays with me
answered on Aug 8, 2023
If you have a court document that says the time is yours then go get the child. If the father refuses you can return to court to enforce the agreement. Although it is a last resort, you can also try to get the police involved. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
My sons stays with me (his mother) I took him to stay with his dad for 2 weeks he was supposed to come back but it has been a month and his father will not send him back to me because I won’t let him get food stamps for my child because he stays with me
answered on Aug 12, 2023
If you possess a court order granting you primary custody, you have the option to file a Motion for Civil Contempt/Enforcement. It's advisable to consult with a local attorney to review the precise details of your case. This will assist in determining whether alternative options may be viable.... View More
My child was born in Colorado, but my primary residence is Florida where the child and I live. Does the resident state laws apply or does the birth state laws apply to custody?
answered on Aug 8, 2023
In Florida, the mother is in control until the father goes to court. You do not mention how long you have lived in Florida or how old the child is. If you and the child have been living in Florida for more than six months then any legal action (like a paternity suit) would have to be in Florida.... View More
My child was born in Colorado, but my primary residence is Florida where the child and I live. Does the resident state laws apply or does the birth state laws apply to custody?
answered on Aug 12, 2023
Additional facts are required to provide a comprehensive response to your inquiries. However, if the minor child has resided in the State of Florida for at least 6 months, Florida holds jurisdiction over the minor child, provided that no other state has asserted jurisdiction. Seeking advice from an... View More
answered on Aug 12, 2023
If you suspect that the Father's disciplinary actions towards the minor child constitute abuse or neglect, it's advisable to contact the police and/or Child Protective Services. If there's a current court order in place, consider consulting with an attorney to determine if the... View More
We have 50/50 custody of 3 kids and child support was not granted for either party. My career changed and I now make a substantial amount more than what I was making at the time of divorce, which has been final for over 2 years. She’s unable to obtain employment and was a stay at home mom when we... View More
answered on Aug 3, 2023
She can go back to court and file a request for alimony and child support. She'll have the burden to prove that there is a need for those kinds of support and that you are capable of providing it. Talk to a lawyer to know how you can be prepared if this happens.
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