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Florida Child Custody Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Originally from PR. Never filed a CS claim. Currently in FL since 2013. Son moved in w/ me 6 yrs ago he is 20 now.

Father lives in PR. Always threaten me not to file for CS bcause he took care of our other 2 daughters now over 21. My son needs help for college. Should I file a claim in PR since in FL age is 18th and does not recognize college expenses and support after 18th? Can I file for back child support?

Destardes Moore
PREMIUM
Destardes Moore
answered on Jun 26, 2023

Based on the information provided, it appears unlikely that you can file a new case for child support in Florida. However, I recommend you consult with a local attorney who can assess your unique circumstances. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to consult with an attorney in Puerto Rico to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: Can a parent file a petition for child that lives in another state?

My ex lives in Pennsylvania she came from Honduras 5 years ago with her other husband and kids. I have a son with her that’s been living with me in Florida since 2015 when I arrived to the state from Honduras. Recently she came down here to Miami to pick up my son to spend the summer in... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jun 22, 2023

If your son stays with his mother in Pennsylvania for six months or more, she will be able to file for custody there, and the Pennsylvania courts will have exclusive jurisdiction to decide custody. You should contact a Pennsylvania attorney for more specific advice regarding how to get your son;... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Florida on
Q: What do I need to do if I want to move my child out of state? Not married, not living together, no custody agreement.

I moved out with my daughter last year. I was letting my daughter see her father on the weekends, but we noticed some signs of abuse and took her to the ER. DCFS opened a case and dismissed it. I am planning to move out of state in the next 6-9 months and want to know what my legal obligations are.... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 19, 2023

If you have never been to court for paternity then you, the mother, have full custody rights and can move wherever you like. If he takes you to court before you move then he may be able to delay or prevent the move. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Divorce and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Can I obtain an attorney to assist me with mediation so that I can just get my regular weekend visitation unmonitored.

This has been going on since the end of 2018 into 2019. My ex accused my mother of being under the influence of drugs (she was age 65) when she exchanged the children with him. He would stop me from seeing them if I didn't give him $300/month for child support. Unfortunately after he stopped... View More

Destardes Moore
PREMIUM
Destardes Moore
answered on Jun 17, 2023

You can retain an attorney to assist you with mediation. If that is the only proceeding you would like to retain an attorney for, then you would need to search for attorneys who offer limited-scope representation. Any allegations of abuse should be reported to the proper authorities. Consult with... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: If my child's paternal father did not sign the birth certificate in FL, does he have any rights?

He has been absent for nearly her entire life (almost 9 years). Looking into child support/back pay. He has moved out of state now and I am to be wed next spring and would like my future husband to adopt her. Looking for any advice on the first steps and the best way to go about this.

Destardes Moore
PREMIUM
Destardes Moore
answered on Jun 17, 2023

In Florida, in order for an unmarried biological Father to have parental rights, the Father would need to file an action with the Court to establish paternity. Consult with an attorney to determine what type of notice the biological father is entitled to as it pertains to the step parent adoption.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: what can i do if my daughter is with her dad and his girlfriend but is infested with head lice and they have no

intentions of cleaning her head out.

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jun 9, 2023

Is there an active family court case? Get her to an MD and get a report to the judge. This case arises under FAMILY/ CHILD ABUSE law. You need to discuss with an attorney in your jurisdiction that specializes in this kind of law. Thank you for using Justia, Ask a Lawyer.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: what can a parent do if the minor child has a head lice infestation and dad and dads girlfriend knowingly and willingly

just leave the minor child infested? what steps can i take as the biological mother who still has all rights to the minor child in order to get her placed back in my custody

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 9, 2023

If you have all rights to the child then why can't you just take the child? If there is a court order regarding the child then you can report to the court that issued the order that there is a problem. If the problem is severe enough you can report the issue to DCF. Speak with a local family... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: what steps can i take if the girlfriend to the biological father of my oldest daughter is insulting me on social media

while still having an active Family Court case? there is also proof that she was insulting me. i was just wondering what could be done in situations like this

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 9, 2023

There is not much that can be done (legally) to stop insults on social media. You could notify the judge in the family case about the behavior and express concern for its effects on the child. Speak with a local family lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: My mother currently has Legal custody of my two boys since 2016. But the boys actually live with me.

I pay child support to her and since my mom doesn't get food stamps for them she told me to apply and now DCF is wanting me to fill out forms because they want to know why I'm receiving food stamps and paying child support for the same kids. Please advise.

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 8, 2023

You need to start with the court that gave your mother custody. Ask that court to change the custody to you. Then you can stop paying child support and apply for food stamps. Speak with a local lawyer for more specific advice.

1 Answer | Asked in Adoption, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Hi, I’m trying to obtain copies of my legal guardian records from when I was a child in Miami dade county, 40+ yrs ago

I need proof my now deceased grandfather was my legal guardian, he also collected my child support to his name on my behalf and I want to obtain those copies.

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jun 7, 2023

Call the Clerk of Court and ask them if they have those records from that long ago. They might not have records of child support he received; you might need to subpoena such records from his bank, if you have some sort of cause of action that somehow survived any applicable statute of limitations.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Order is in Florida. Have not seen child since September, filed contempt motion in Dec. but we have moved to Texas from

We seriously need advice. My husband has been going through a nasty custody battle in Florida. In December we filed a motion for contempt because the other party stopped showing up and he has not seen the child since September and there has been no contact with the other party. Early last month,... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Jun 6, 2023

You don't need to transfer the case to Texas. Ask the judge's assistant if the motion hearing can be held on Zoom.

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1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: Can my 18-year-old daughter move to Puerto Rico with her father and then ask me for child support?

My daughter had the choice live here for free and go to school or get a job and pay rent. She decided to be on her own and lived with a family member for almost a year and worked a job. Recently moved to P.R. and is living with her father. Now, she is asking for the child support card and money,... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on Jun 2, 2023

Question 1: Is there a current child support order in place? If no, then you have no financial obligation at all. Legally child support can only be pursued by the parents so your child has no legal standing to request child support from you. Finally, if your child is 18 then she is emancipated and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Divorce and Domestic Violence for Florida on
Q: Can I hire a lawyer in FL when I live out of state? We have a minor together am I able to take my child out of state?

Can I take my child out of state, if a restraining order is on me from my soon to be ex wife? I haven’t seen my child in a couple of months.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on May 31, 2023

You may hire a lawyer in one state, even if you live in another. You really should since you appear to be subject to a restraining order which may be controlling over your parenting rights until you can get an order more specifically setting out those rights. The specific language of the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Support and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: My 13 year old daughter says she wants to go live with her dad.

We were never married and never went to court. She’s always lived with me, I’ve never collected child support. Have not gotten any financial help in over 4 years and before that it was always minimal. Can he put me on child support if she goes to live with him? How can I prevent this?

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on May 22, 2023

If you have never been to court then you have full control of timesharing (custody). The only way child support would be triggered is if one of you (parents) goes to court on a paternity action. You could pursue child support going back in time up to two years. He could pursue child support moving... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: If I let my children visit their mother out of state for a month, is she untitled to give them back?

My 3 children & I live in Florida for last 9 years while their mother has lived in Michigan. We have never been though court system. If I let the kids visit for a month this summer does she have to give them back ? Would a notary or a note for the mother be evidence of her promising to bring... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on May 15, 2023

If you let them leave without a written agreement or something filed with the court you are stuck with the "honor system." If, in fact, she refuses to return the children, you would be forced to go to court here in Florida and fight for their return. You would have a strong case based on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody for Florida on
Q: do you know any Lawyer’s that have dealt with relocation when it comes to child custody cases?

I was just summons with paperwork for child custody from my newborns father, who has yet to establish paternity, and I haven’t heard from him the whole time I was pregnant didn’t hear from him up until about a week ago and three days after he reached out, he filed for more than half custody... View More

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on May 14, 2023

Until paternity is established the mother has all custody rights. This is a delicate area of family law so you need to speak to a local family lawyer who can give you specific advice on how to defend a relocation.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Florida on
Q: Me and my husband were approached by a young woman with the offer for us to adopt her baby. What should we do first?

She doesn’t know who the biological father is,but she does not want the baby

Rand Scott Lieber
Rand Scott Lieber
answered on May 9, 2023

Whatever you do you need to involve an attorney that specializes in adoption. This is not a do it yourself matter. Speak with an adoption attorney as soon as possible if you want to pursue this.

2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Child offered seat at STEM magnet program, ex-wife refuses to allow child opportunity. What can father do to get custody

STEM program is only 1 hour away from the mothers house. Fathers house is 36 mintues away and is able to take and pick up child from school if he had majority custody. The mother has no job, and is fully capable of taking and pikcing up child from the STEM program, but refuses to for unknown... View More

V Julia Luyster
V Julia Luyster
answered on May 7, 2023

You would not need to have majority custody. You would only need to have final decision-making over educational decisions. You could file a motion in the same court where the initial parenting plan or schedule was entered and ask to have it modified or ask to have the court determine if the STEM... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Florida on
Q: What’s a mandatory disclosure on a divorce with a child? And when I’m supposed to summit the proof of income and to who?

I filed for divorce in feb. when I did the first package the family affidavit was file . The judge order mediation but her lawyer didn’t submit her affidavit till this morning which I couldn’t see till after mediation which we didn’t agree to anything! I emailed the lawyer asking her for the... View More

David Veliz
David Veliz
answered on May 23, 2023

Both parties are required to provide mandatory disclosure to the other party. Florida Family Law Rule 12.285 states what documents are required to be provided to the other party and the time frame for production. If a party fails to provide said disclosure, the opposing party can file a motion to... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Florida on
Q: Can a mother change a child’s name without fathers consent if there’s no father listed on birth certificate?

Daughters name was changed within forst twelve months of her life I was not listed on the birth certificate due to paternity issues. At the least was she supposed to notify me since I was suspected to be the father or no because I wasn’t on the birth certificate?

Pamela J. Fero
Pamela J. Fero
answered on May 2, 2023

Generally, both parent's signature is required if they are listed in the original birth record. Since you are not in the birth certificate, the mother can pursue name change of the child without your consent.

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