Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

12 Days Before Hearing: Cannot Find An Attorney
My ex boyfriend has served me papers wanting shared custody of our child. Our child is almost 2 yrs old, and his father has never had anything to do with him, and even challenged the paternity. I am 19, a single mother, full-time student, and have no job. I have gone to Legal Aid in my area for help, but they can't help me without it being a conflict of interest and they won't refer me to another office. My bf was previously married and had a child with his wife but the relationship was extremely bad with both of them in and out of court, using Legal Aid, which is why it's a conflict of interest.

This man's son from his marriage, was kidnapped when he was 2 yrs old, and has never been found. I am so afraid if he gets shared custody, our child will be kidnapped too. I have called every attorney in the phone book and nobody will take my case without money up front, which I don't have. What am I going to do, I have 12 days before this court date?

Asked on 6/05/09, 9:53 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Brent Rose The Orsini & Rose Law Firm

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Re: 12 Days Before Hearing: Cannot Find An Attorney

You don't have much choice but to represent yourself if you can't beg or borrow the money from someone to pay for a lawyer (which is what you really need to do). I always tell people that representing yourself legal suicide, but it's worse when it's not just you, but a child, that's affected. You need to find the money so that a lawyer can talk the judge into supervised visitation for the father.

Answered on 6/05/09, 10:12 am

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