Get free answers to your Child Custody legal questions from lawyers in your area.
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 
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
Do you know if that can be done and how?
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.
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
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
answered on Aug 29, 2024
Look up your local legal aid agency. Some counties also offer child support help through the state attorney's office or the attorney general's office. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I had a lawyer for the case but want to proceed pro se. If the case is closed can I just continue pro se. Do I need to ask attorney to withdraw or can I file a motion for substitution of counsel stating that I am now representing myself
answered on Aug 7, 2024
If your case has been closed, you can reopen it without retaining an attorney for the new issue. You would file your document with the clerk of court pro se, and a motion for substitution would not be necessary.
answered on Jul 30, 2024
Carefully read through your current custody agreement or parenting plan. It may already include provisions regarding transportation responsibilities. Speak with the other parent to discuss and negotiate transportation arrangements. Sometimes, an amicable agreement can be reached without going to... View More
Florida. His ex-wife filed some paperwork related to custody and I am not comfortable signing for legal documents on his behalf (I do not have a power of attorney during his deployment). Am I legally required to do so or can I decline?
answered on Jul 29, 2024
Vald service of process doesn't depend on whether the person the process server hands the summons to agrees to accept it. If the process server gave the summons to the person who answered the door, and the defendant's residence, the defendant has been served. You shouldn't be asked... View More
answered on Jul 29, 2024
In theory, you could draft and submit such a motion. It would be signed by you and your attorney. But the attorney knows how to submit such motion a lot better than you do.
Our child in this case is 9. The father and I share 50/50 custody, rotating time sharing weekly. For summer we each get about 3 weeks uninterrupted time. Tomorrow, the 22nd is supposed to be the start of the father’s 3 week summer time sharing. I got word from his wife on Friday that he was asked... View More
answered on Jul 22, 2024
If you "got word from his wife on Friday that he ... moved all of his stuff out and into a [friend's] house", isn't it clear to you that he now lives in the friend's house? If you are in doubt, ask his wife for clarification.
My kids have reported back to me for the past two weeks my ex is drinking and driving with them in the car. He almost got into an accident with them too. How do I proceed to get custody removed and protect my kids?
answered on Jul 24, 2024
You may file a motion to modify the custody arrangement if there are significant concerns about the children’s safety. Document everything your children have told you, including dates, times, locations, and specific details of the alleged incidents. If there are any witnesses or additional... View More
I do not believe she moved out of state . I do not know where they are, I've asked to see our daughter but they come up with an excuse for me not to show up at the residence. They don't know that I know they moved. They keep lying to me. The ex wife has our daughter lying to me about where they are.
answered on Jul 11, 2024
According to Florida statutes, a parent cannot relocate more than 50 miles from their current residence for more than 60 consecutive days without the consent of the other parent or a court order. This applies to moves within the state as well as out of state. For the parent wishing to move, there... View More
Currently have physical custody of minor child which was obtained before the Notice of Hearing Before Magistrate.
answered on Jun 24, 2024
Additional facts are needed. However, if there is an existing court order, it should specify who has majority timesharing. If no order is in place, the Judge will determine which parent will maintain temporary majority timesharing. Any request for temporary majority timesharing should be included... View More
The one who fathered the child has financially helped the Mother and child since birth. He has been getting her alternate weekends and a few hours every Tuesday and Thursday since she has been able to walk. She is mad at the father at the present and is withholding the child.
answered on Jun 17, 2024
Legally, the man that the woman was married to at the time of the birth is the "legal father." This can be changed but you must take the mother to court on a paternity/ disestablishment of paternity case. You will need to include the man that she is/was married to in the lawsuit. Speak... View More
Sons dad resides in NY. My son & I reside in FL (son was born here) Sons dad has accused me of parental alienation since the birth of our child. He has always had a phone # to contact me & address. Ex has seen our 8 y/o son twice since he was born in 2015. I brought our son to NY in 2019... View More
answered on Jun 16, 2024
The legal standard in Florida is what is in the best interest of the child. If a parent has been absent for an extended period the court is not going to thrust them together. Reunification is possible but can be a lengthy process. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
court ordered time sharing temporarily for 6 months , but other party has not completed steps for orientation thus meaning i haven't seen the child in the time that was ordered ( 6 months ) , made by the judge , its been over 6 months and the other party has not followed steps to begin the... View More
answered on Jun 16, 2024
If the other party is not doing what they are supposed to do then you need to return to court and ask the judge for help. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I have a time sharing custudy agreement. I also have residential custody of my son that is based out of his mother living in Pennsylvania but she hasn't lived there in years and now resides on the east coast of Florida. Nothing has been changed in the courts on her end. I also live in... View More
answered on Jun 16, 2024
Both of you are bound by whatever it says in your parenting plan. If you want to change the plan then you need to go back to court for a modification. As long as you are both following the parenting plan you can each live wherever you choose. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific... View More
My boyfriend has residential custody of his son for the past 10yrs. Ex gf is now suing for custody & noted that my boyfriend refuses to let her meet me, this is false. Am I required by law to meet her? We live together but I have no desire to meet her as she has showed up uninvited and... View More
answered on Jun 11, 2024
No, you are not required to meet her. But your refusal to do so might adversely affect your boyfriend's custody case.
I have a custody case now open and the father of the child will not abide by the court orders as far as parenting plan given from different state. Case was thrown out because of jurisdiction and is now open here in state of FL. What is the next steps so I can get 50/50 here in FL as the case is at... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2024
You are always able to request a case management conference (status conference) with the judge. Look online for your judge's division procedures and there should be instructions for scheduling. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
My daughter lives with me and sees her father every other weekend and he has never paid child support. I want to move to Alabama so my daughter can grow up with her cousins since we have no family here. Getting a job wouldn’t be an issue and we could stay with family until finding a place to... View More
answered on Jun 5, 2024
If you are still married then you both have equal rights over the child. Technically you can move without his permission; however, if he goes to the court you could be ordered to return. The better path is to either reach an agreement with him or go to court with a divorce/ relocation case. Speak... View More
The kids Insurance or extracurricular activities. My family, her family, and even his family live in the Orlando area. They have 50/50 time with the kids. We have no idea how he pays his bills as he hasn't worked In over a year. What do we have to do to force him to let us move.
answered on Jun 3, 2024
Try to talk with the kids' dad. Since you all have ties to Orlando, he might see the move as beneficial too. If he agrees, that's good! Just be sure to get that agreement in writing. If he’s not on board or things are a bit tricky, then you might need to petition the court for... View More
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