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I'm 18 years old and unintentionally signed a lease under pressure from my mother, which starts on March 28th. I cannot afford it, and now I'm seeking to remove my name from it swiftly. The landlord is aware, and I've considered legal advice. My mother insists that my 16-year-old... View More 
answered on Mar 17, 2025
You are asking two separate questions, legally.
You have no legal responsibility to house your younger brother.
Regarding the lease, tell the landlord that you are canceling. Do not take possession of the property. You may lose any deposit that may have been made. Speak with a local... View More
I am in a consensual relationship with my 17-year-old partner, and both our parents are aware and okay with it. We currently live together. If I get her pregnant now when she's 17 and I'm 21, and she turns 18 by the due date, would I face any legal consequences for signing the birth... View More
I am currently 17 years old and living in Florida with my 22-year-old boyfriend in a consensual relationship. We are expecting a child soon, and I will be 18 at the time of the birth. I am concerned about whether my boyfriend could face any legal trouble in Florida if he signs the birth certificate... View More
If I get pregnant at 17 and have the baby at 18, can my 21-year-old boyfriend face legal consequences? He will be 22 when the baby is born. We have parental consent for our relationship and live in Florida. I am concerned about potential legal issues due to the age gap of over 4 years at the time... View More
I want to file for child support, but I received a tile 4 form, which is for a shared time agreement. My daughter, who is 7 years old, does not want to spend time with her father. Can I proceed with the child support filing without submitting the form? If not, is she old enough to decide not to... View More
answered on Mar 17, 2025
If and when you go to court, I am assuming for paternity, the court will address both child support and timesharing. The timesharing decision will be based on the best interests of the child. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
Can my parents legally take my phone if I am 18 years old, even though I don't pay for it? I currently live with them, they are my legal guardians, and there are no specific house rules or agreements about phone use.
answered on Mar 15, 2025
Not sure if you are saying that your parents have been APPOINTED BY THE COURT to be your legal guardians while you are an adult, or instead are using that phrase loosely, with them not actually being appointed. If appointed by the Court, they likely have the right to control your possessions as if... View More
I am the grandmother of three grandchildren, ages 12, 9, and 8. Their mother, who is on felony probation, has custody. However, she lives in a 21 ft camper with the children. The mother often has me keep them temporarily when she is unable to care for them or for her convenience. My grandchildren... View More
I temporarily gave my mother custody of my daughter by signing a notarized paper. However, DCF informed me that there is no open case and legally, I can retrieve my daughter. My mother is refusing to return her. What steps can I take to have my daughter returned to me when there are no official... View More
answered on Mar 14, 2025
If your mother no longer has a legal right to keep your daughter then you can involve the police if she refuses to cooperate. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I am 18 years old and currently live with my grandmother and dad. They discovered that I have been seeing someone and are now forcing me to get a birth control implant; otherwise, they will make me move out. I found some organizations under the Project Heart Foundation, but I currently have no way... View More
answered on Mar 13, 2025
No, your family cannot force you to use birth control devices. You are of age and so they can't require it. If they require you to move out, they can do so. You can demand that your grandmother return your phone to you.
My husband requested a modification for a child support order through Asume in Puerto Rico for our nearly 19-year-old child while we are in the process of getting a divorce. Despite him providing only his income information, Asume increased his payment to three times the original amount, using an... View More
I want to adopt my stepdaughter in Florida, and her biological father is not listed on her birth certificate. I have been her dad since her first birthday, and she is now almost 11 years old. The biological father has never had contact, and we do not know where he is. I am married to her mother,... View More
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Yes, you can adopt your step daughter with her legal/biological mother's and father's consent. However, the court can waive the consent requirement for any parent that has abandoned the child, as that term is defined under Florida Statutes.
I live in Florida and am the primary caregiver for my child. My child's father, who signed the birth certificate, is requesting our child's birth certificate and social security card. We have no formal custody or visitation agreements, and he visits on Sundays. He hasn't provided a... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
If you have never been to court for paternity or child support then you have no obligation to provide documents to him. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I requested a child support modification, which was denied despite my financial hardship. Since the initial support order, I've experienced a major pay decrease of 50% as of July 27, 2024, and had a baby on October 27, 2024. Given these changes, what options do I have now to address the denial?
answered on Mar 31, 2025
Based upon your question I will assume that you requested a child support modification through the DOR not by filing a Petition for Modification with the Court. To obtain a modification of child support you must allege, within a Petition for Modification filed with the Circuit Court and prove a... View More
I am the primary parent of my 2-year-old child under a current parenting plan. My child's father has admitted to me and his sister that his girlfriend has been physically abusive to him. He claims the marks on his arm are from a cat, but he confessed they were caused by his girlfriend. My... View More
I am looking for a case to reference where an accusation of adultery was dismissed due to clearly established separation. We have been separated for over six months and have already been to court. There is a temporary order in place that clearly establishes our separation. How can I find a similar... View More
I moved from Florida to Smyrna, Georgia, six months ago, while my spouse continues to reside in Florida. I tried to file for divorce in Georgia, but was informed that I might need to file in Florida, despite not residing there. I'm unclear on the residency requirements and why my filing might... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
You do not mention if there is any real property (house) to divide or if there are any children. If the answer to those questions is no then you should be able to file in Georgia if you meet the residency requirement (usually 6 months). Otherwise, speak with a local family lawyer about the... View More
My ex-daughter-in-law has opened a non-profit using our family name without permission, despite reverting to her maiden name and stating she never wanted to be associated with our family name. She was found by Illinois DCFS to have abused and neglected her four children, for whom she now has no... View More
answered on Mar 7, 2025
You may need to initiate a lawsuit for defamation. Depending on the nature of her statements, it may be defamation per se. Nevertheless, you will likely need to prove some economic damages which is often the primary hurdle in these cases.
I'm a grandparent in Pensacola, FL, and I've been actively involved in my 4-year-old granddaughter's life, caring for her 5 days a week since birth. Recently, she disclosed inappropriate behavior by her step-sister. When I tried to discuss this with her mother, she became upset, and... View More
answered on Mar 6, 2025
Unfortunately, in Florida, grandparent visitation rights are very limited. Try to schedule a free consultation with a local attorney who specializes in dependency. You will need to try and prove the lack of fitness of the current caregiver, in your case the mother.
My fiancé's ex-wife is threatening that my mother should not be around my son because she cursed at the ex, even though my mother never curses around my son or directs anything harmful towards him. There are no legal orders or custody agreements relevant to this issue. My mother babysits my... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
Probably not. There is definitely no law that says that. There would have to be a motion filed with the court and proof brought forward at a hearing to show that your mother babysitting is not in the best interests of the child. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.
I was ordered to mediation with my ex regarding custody of our son within 30 days from 01/24/25, and both of us were required to file financial affidavits. I submitted my affidavit on 02/17, but my ex has not filed his yet and hasn't been in contact with our son since 2023 after moving to... View More
answered on Mar 5, 2025
If there is a court order to mediate and it is scheduled then you should appear. Tell the mediator that you cannot move forward without his financial affidavit. You can also fie a motion to compel his financial affidavit. If the facts are as you say then the court should rule in your favor... View More
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