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Questions Answered by Rand Scott Lieber
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Florida on
Q: Do a relocated non-custodial parent should have sent a petition to relocate if didn't exist any shared-parenting order?

A non-custodial parent moved after separation to Texas after the other custodial parent decided to move with the child to Orlando (both lived in Miami). A dissolution of marriage started after that and 1 year later this dissolution was done with a parenting plan. In this parenting plan the... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jan 9, 2025

The starting point for this question is to read your parenting plan. That is the law of your case. Technically a parent can move anywhere as long as they notify the other parent of their new address. Relocation comes in if the parent is trying to change the child's school or timesharing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Civil Litigation for Florida on
Q: Can I move out of state with my open DCF case?

My case was opened in 2023, and my children have been removed from the home. My daughter is living with her maternal grandparents, and my son is in foster care. Since the DCF case was opened my husband and I have been dealing with homelessness, and lack of income. My husband has been completing all... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jan 6, 2025

The question that you need to decide is are you opposing the TPR. You can move wherever you choose so long as you are complying with any court orders issued. If there is a court order that says you cannot move then you need to return to court to get permission. Speak with a local family lawyer for... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Tax Law, Business Law and Child Support for Florida on
Q: If the father of a child has his own small business (LLC), does his monthly business expenses count toward his income?

Or does a certain percentage count? He pays himself very little and writes off everything thought the company such as car, insurance, phone, etc including our dinners when we used to go out. Is there a Florida law regarding this?

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jan 3, 2025

Your question is a little complicated but the short answer is yes, anything that reduces his normal living expenses counts as income, regardless of whether he writes it off as a business expense. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce for Florida on
Q: I have a car in both my name and my wifes name. If i sell this Vehicle are there any Issues? its her main transportatio.
Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jan 2, 2025

You don’t say if there is a pending divorce case. Legally the car belongs to both of you. In fact, you may need both signatures to sell the car. You should speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Hi, Can my boyfriend take my kids away from me? As he has a job and I dont?

He threatens me all the time saying he will take our kids away from me. Is it possible? And would I be able to move out of state with the kids even if he won't let me? Since my family and help for me is in another state

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 28, 2024

In Florida, unless you have already been to court the mother starts out with control of the children. It is possible for one parent to go to court to establish or modify timesharing (custody) but the end result will be a schedule of sharing time. It is rare for children to be "taken away"... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Nolegal child custody established. Child lives with father full time and ex lives in canada. Need travel consent w/o ex

Father and child lives in the US and ex lives in Canada. Ex filed the divorce back in 2018 in Canada but since the child is living with father, Canadian court proceeded with divorce only as they do not have the jurisdiction over the child. She does not pay for a dime or child support as directed by... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 27, 2024

If you have or can get a certified copy of the Canadian divorce decree you can domesticate it (file with your local court and ask them to recognize it). Depending on the exact language regarding the child you may need to file a motion as well asking for sole parental responsibility and authority to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: 2 yrs ago my wife filled in NJ, we both now live in Florida-case still open. Is FL or NJ better for child support?

We filled for divorce 2 years ago in NJ. My wife moved to FL 1.5 years ago, although there is no written agreement to allow this. I now also live in FL. Do we have to move the case to FL? Is FL a better state for me from a child support perspective or is NJ?

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 17, 2024

If the child has been living in Florida for more than six months then NJ will probably not accept jurisdiction anymore, meaning that they may divorce you but they will not address children's issues because the child does not live there anymore. I cannot advise you on NJ child support law.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I’m in a custody battle with my child’s father. I currently have a boyfriend and would like to move in with him

He owns his own home and is a business owner. He loves my child as it’s his own. I’m living in a house right now that was flooded during a hurricane and it’s a current construction zone. I’d love to move in with him so my child can be safe and have a family environment. Am I able too while... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Dec 6, 2024

The court will always look at the best interests of the child. As long as you are doing what is best for your child (as opposed to what is best for you) then you should be alright. Just be prepared to explain the the court why you moved and how it was better for the child. Speak with a local family... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My son went to my mother in MI temporarily while I was incarcerated. I still have full custody. What are my rights?

My son went temporarily to MI while I was incarcerated. I still have full custody. I am doing well and would like my son to be with me again. I believe my son has been turned against me while I was gone. My mother is elderly and in very poor health, My stepfather has Alzheimer’s. So my son is... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Nov 18, 2024

You need to start with the last court order regarding your child. What does it say about who cares for the child while you were incarcerated. You can then return to the court that issued that order to ask to get your child back. Generally, children do not get to choose who they live with. Speak... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I have a disagreement with the mother of my child. She demands that I pay her money for expenses related to our child

At this point in time we are in family court and as of yet I have not been ordered to pay child support. I am responsible for paying recurring expenses such as child care and medical expenses. She wants me to stop doing so and send her the money so that she may do so directly.

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Nov 15, 2024

You do not mention if there is a court order or not. If there is a court order then you should do what it says. If not, how ever you choose to provide money, make sure that you keep clear records of the date and how much you paid. Without a court order, you decide what and how to pay. Speak with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Florida on
Q: I got married after a divorce and my last name was Stewart but divorce changed to Evans and I put Stewart instead that 1

is my marriage legal even though I put Stewart instead of Evans because my name was going to be Evans anyway they had me put the former last name

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Nov 4, 2024

If your marriage license was executed by a proper officiant and filed with the clerk then you are legally married. Think about it like a typo. I am assuming that the remainder of the identifying information is correct. Moving forward you always have the option of going to court for a legal name... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: It appears my daughter in law is going to file for divorce. My son has not been served yet. She withdrew her paycheck

from a joint account that their mortgage is taken out of each month, therefore making my son pay the mortgage. Is this legal? What can my son do? He alone does not make enough money for ALL expenses, and there are 3 children involved.

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Nov 4, 2024

Generally when a divorce is filed both parties are expected to maintain the financial status quo. That means that each party is expected to continue to pay the expenses that they traditionally paid. Until your son is in court for a divorce action he really does not have any recourse. Speak with a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Divorce q - Are all investments owned prior to marriage but since sold then re-invested considered marital assets?

I have been married for 7 years and likely filing for divorce. We have a 3 year old. My wife has not worked during this entire time. I handle all finances, though we keep separate accounts. I owned significant financial assets prior to the marriage (retired shortly prior) and have since actively... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Oct 9, 2024

The starting point for equitable distribution is 50/50. However, if you are able to establish the value of the assets on the date of marriage then you can argue that the premarital value should be subtracted off and that only the increase from the date of marriage forward should be divided 50/50.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My estranged husband has been sending harassing messages.

I've been separated from my estranged husband since December 2023. I tried to get the divorce earlier in 2024 but he refused to sign the paperwork out of spite; I paid for everything and only wanted his signature. He is an angry, abusive, and hateful alcoholic. After receiving harassing and... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 30, 2024

If you have filed for divorce then you have been assigned a judge. Schedule a hearing with the judge and explain what is happening. You may need to file a motion. It can be handwritten explaining why you want the hearing. Judges have a judicial assistant who you may be able to call on the phone for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: I live in Florida. My children live in ny. How do I go about getting custody or at least scheduled visits?
Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 19, 2024

If your children have lived in NY for longer than six months then you need to file for timesharing in NY in the jurisdiction where the children live. If you were never married to the other parent and have never been to court then it would be a paternity case. Speak with a local family lawyer for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: How do I know if I am actually divorced?

I got married in Florida in July 2005 after knowing my exhusband for only three months. After we were married I learned he is a criminal, has mental issues, and he became very abusive. He spent the majority of our marriage in and out of Jail & mental hospitals. I left multiple times but he... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 12, 2024

You may want to hire a private investigator for this. If the divorce happened in Florida then you should be able to find a record of it. If it in fact never happened then you can file a divorce now. In the final judgment you will need to include that he has no legal rights to any of your property.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Is there any laws for default jurisdiction?

My family lived in Florida for 1.8 years. We went to Mississippi to help wife’s family for 5 months and retained our residence in Florida. things got bad and I brought our children back home to Florida. We both filed for divorce in each state.

I dismissed her because we weren’t in... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Every state has a jurisdiction requirement for filing lawsuits. In Florida (and many other states), in order to file for divorce one party has to have lived in the state for at least six months. Wherever you decide to file, you must meet the jurisdiction requirements. Speak with a local family... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I have out state parenting plan from GA and would like to enforce that in Tampa Florida.

Do you know if that can be done and how?

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 6, 2024

As long as one of the parents or the child lives in Tampa then you can file a motion for enforcement. You may need to attache a certified copy of the Georgia court order (parenting plan). Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Is a default judgement bad for the plaintiff in a divorce case?

I’m getting divorced and my ex wife and me may or may not have a kid together. I’m here in Florida and she moved to Tennessee and she refuses to do a DNA test or respond to my attorney. She’s been served and her 20 day response time expired 2 months ago. I’ve paid for mediation but the... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Sep 2, 2024

The answer to your question depends on what relief you are seeking. If you just want to get divorced then a default can help end the case. If there is a child involved then the court cannot rule on children's issues with a default so those issues are reserved, but you still get divorced. If... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Family Law and Workers' Compensation for Florida on
Q: How do I get money back from the department of revenue that was taken in a workman's compensation settlement via a lien

They state made a clerical error claiming I owed child support on a child I had full custody of. When I received my settlement the state had claimed I owed 13000 and took half the money even though I never owed it.

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 24, 2024

You will probably need to file a motion with the court that issued the child support order to get your money back. Once the order is signed by the judge you can then present it to the agency that is holding your money. Of course, first try to work directly with the agency to get the refund.... View More

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