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1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Mental Health Consent for Minor Child

Florida. Parenting plan states mental health must be mutually agreed. Agreement for provider was reached. Child has been actively going to sessions for several months. Non Custodial parent now states they no longer consent to child seeing provider and is demanding the primary parent to change... View More

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answered on Oct 31, 2023

The current law is that either parent my consent to mental health counseling for child. If child is already in counseling by agreement then the parent that wants a change must go to court if no agreement can be reached. Otherwise child continues with current provider. Speak with a local family... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Health Care Law, Employment Law, Family Law and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Can a court force me to have health insurance on myself?
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answered on Oct 30, 2023

As long as you are asking about family court, you can be ordered to provide insurance for any children that you have. I do not think that you can be ordered to provide health insurance for yourself. There may be circumstances where you can be ordered to have life insurance to secure your child... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I own property and am trying to sell it. I owe back child support however I am on a current payment arrangement for the

I own property and am trying to sell it. I owe back child support however I am on a current payment arrangement for the reers and current that it owed. When selling the property can the state still hold a lean against my property when on an active payment arrangement

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answered on Oct 23, 2023

You do not mention if there is already a lien filed or if there is just the threat of a lien. If the lien is already filed there is probably nothing that you can do. Regardless, you need to be in touch with the agency that is enforcing the child support to confirm what will happen upon the sale of... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law and Municipal Law for Florida on
Q: using the Fla. E-Filing Portal for interogatories i see only the "service of interogatories" on the collier clerk site

on the docket it says on the service that they were emailed to the defendant. i was told by the clerk that if the actual interrogatories were uploaded on the mycourtaccess.com they would be available for public viewing. the "service of interrogatories" is visible on the docket but... View More

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answered on Oct 22, 2023

It is normal to to only e-file the notice of service of interrogatories and send the actual interrogatories to the relevant party directly. Likewise it is proper to e-file a notice of service of answers and then send the actual answers to the party that served the interrogatories.

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Possible to move even if my sons father says no? Pregnant with my fiance and Is child, better opportunities for his job?

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

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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

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Does Childtime sharing start before paperwork is signed by a judge?

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

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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

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: What constitutes a supportive/supported financial relationship to negate spousal support in Florida?

My wife wants a divorce. She's cheated at least once and now with a high index of suspiscion a second time. She has a credit card with debt & may also have an auto loan with another man. Will her extramarital financial agreements impact her being awarded spousal support (alimony)?

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answered on Oct 16, 2023

In Florida, alimony is based on financial need and financial ability to pay. The legal issue regarding extramarital affairs during the marriage is focused on the money spent on the affair. You may be entitled to a credit for any monies that your spouse spent on the affair. The issue with a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Is there anyway I can fully protect all my assets if I married someone with two children ?

They were never married, only had twins. I believe she will as for child support after we are married. Is there anyway to protect myself at all or should we not get married?

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answered on Oct 11, 2023

Unless you legally adopt the children you will have no legal obligation to them, child support or otherwise. As far as protections with your potential spouse, you can enter into a prenuptial agreement. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My ex is looking for divorce and time sharing after being absent for 4 years from our children’s lives. How do I contest

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

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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

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can a spouse going through a divorce stop paying mortgage or utilities when they moved out?

they split the bills and mortgage, both on the deed and note. One spouse moved and then served the papers. but is refusing to pay their half of the mortgage. Recently, the spouse that moved out has turned off internet, then took the modem.

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answered on Oct 5, 2023

In Florida, in many jurisdictions, there is a presumption that both parties should maintain the financial status quo after a divorce is filed. This means that each party should continue to pay what they have traditionally paid. There are exceptions to this. You must apply to the court for relief,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Florida on
Q: I paid the back taxes that were delinquent 7 years. The owner died last year. I turned on the power and moved in.

Law enforcement told us we had to leave that the daughter of the owner doesn't want us there. But the property is still of deceased

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answered on Oct 5, 2023

When a property owner dies the ownership passes to the heirs. Unless you have a signed document (like a lease) to live in the property then you do not have any legal rights. You might be able to sue to recover the back taxes that you paid on the property but that does not give you an ownership... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can the opposing council sapina my boyfriend for Deposition to their law office? I'm pro se litigant in florida, Divorce
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answered on Oct 3, 2023

That depends on whether your boyfriend has any relevant information regarding the divorce. Generally, they cannot ask about his finances. The deposition must occur in the county where your boyfriend lives. If opposing counsel's office meets that requirement then the deposition can be held... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I need help with Civil contempt of court for back child support. Can I fight this?

In 05 I was ordered to pay almost $1k a month in child support. I changed jobs and filed a modification. the children’s mother heard about this and moved and never gave the state her new address. her D.L address doesn’t match her residence. all modification were denied as the state can’t... View More

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answered on Oct 3, 2023

Although it is possible, generally payors do not go to jail for not paying child support. If you are ordered to pay a specific amount and you have that amount in your possession (bank account, etc.) then you can be ordered to pay by a certain time or be jailed. This is called you having the keys to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I had my boys since young until grown Why do I have to pay child support when she never even raised them?

They only visited her maybe once a year or every other year but I should not be obligated to pay her. Should have she paid child support to me or my mom since we had them, not knowing the laws how could have we known what to do.

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answered on Oct 3, 2023

Why do you think that you need to pay child support? If there is a court order that says that you need to pay child support then you need to file a motion with the court that issued the order explaining that the children have lived with you. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Florida on
Q: Does a notice of appearance count as an answer in a motion to modify family law case?

I filed a motion to modify parenting plan. It’s been 20 days and the only thing the other party filed was a notice of appearance that said an attorney will represent her in this case. Does that qualify as an answer or can I file motion for default?

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answered on Sep 26, 2023

A motion to modify does not automatically require an Answer. You will not get a clerk's default since a notice of appearance was filed. You can schedule your modification for hearing and bring up the lack of a response to the judge but you will still need to prove your case (no default). Speak... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: When anticipating divorce should a women who has been a stay at home wife/mother seek employment before filing

Husband owner his own business and never wanted wife to work. Hes now withholding money to basically control her.

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answered on Sep 21, 2023

There are several relevant factors needed to properly answer your question. How long have you been married? How old are the children now? Did you work prior to having children? How old are you? Generally, moving forward, if you are able the court will expect you to work at something. You should... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: I bought a home 4 months before marriage I put 62k Down, and financial 86k. She’s not on Deep, how much is marital?

House value 185k, home paid off by insurance company 5 years later.

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answered on Sep 13, 2023

This is not a simple calculation. You can probably recover your non-marital down payment but the remaining equity would probably be divided in half as marital. One or both names on the deed does not change the legal analysis in a divorce. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law for Florida on
Q: In Florida, can a person receiving a monthly alimony check, work part time?
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answered on Sep 11, 2023

You need to read your settlement agreement carefully. Alimony can be modifiable or non-modifiable. Alimony is based on your financial need and the other party's financial ability to pay. If your alimony is non-modifiable then there should be no problem. However, if it is modifiable then your... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Child Support for Florida on
Q: In FL will they ask for bank statements or can I just show my paystubs?

I want to modify my child support because I’m not making nearly as much as I once was. The other side said they’re going to request my bank statements. I occasionally have family send me money through it when I can’t afford things, will that affect it? I’m struggling to pay the amount... View More

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answered on Sep 7, 2023

Child support is based on your income, which you can prove with pay stubs if you are a W-2 employee. As long as the loans from your family are not regular (emergency only) then they should not count towards your income. However, you may have to show the bank statements to prove that. Speak with a... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: How to set up child custody while married?

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?

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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

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