Orlando, FL asked in Child Support for Florida

Q: My girlfriend and I are moving in together. She has a 2 year old son. She moved here to Florida just over a year ago...

Just over a year ago from Ohio(where her son was born)to get away from the verbally abusive father.

The father pays her monthly for child care, but has. Been sending less and less every month, sometimes he doesn't send a thing. She is worried that if she files for child support, that she will be required to go back to Ohio, because that is were her son was born. Is this true?

And will the two of us having our own child, or being married, benefit this scenario in any way?

Thank you for your help!

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1 Lawyer Answer
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
Answered
  • Freeeport, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: When a custodial parent seeks child support, there is always the chance that the other parent, in retribution, may seek formal court-ordered custody or visitation. That is just the way it is.

But the Florida courts would have exclusive jurisdiction to decide custody/ visitation, because the child has been in this state for at least six months. Under the circumstances you describe it seems unlikely that she would be required to move back to Ohio.

You and your girlfriend having a child together would probably have minimal effect on her son's father's obligation to pay child support.

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