Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Hello, my name is Amanda, and I have an 11-year-old child named Medany. His father and I have been separated for more than nine years. Whenever we first separated I did go to file for child support. He has paid only because they garnish his money from his security disability. He is over $8000 behind. He has not seen his son in over seven years until a few weeks ago. He finally did see him one time and that is because we moved to a town that he used to live in and he followed us. He moved from Florida, to West Virginia, back to Florida and then to West Virginia again. My Son was born in Jacksonville Florida, and we were living in Southwest Florida until July 2015. The last I had heard he was in Florida and then found out he followed us to Connecticut. I have been taking care of him with my husband over the last nine years. And have always thought of myself as the custodial parent. He has only seen his dad maybe three or four times over the last nine years. When his father and I were together he was very irresponsible and cannot care for a child. So whenever we split I did not feel like he should take care of him. I tried to take him to court and had paper served, but apparently they never reached him. He has tried to have his child support lowered several times, but since I'm not working and have no income myself, it has not happened. No my son is 11, and I have had him all this time. I still seem to always have to get permission from his dad to get anything done. He has a passport, because I finally got his father to sign the papers for it. Since he already has a passport, do I need to get a letter showing permission to go on vacation with him to Canada? I feel like I am the custodial parent I have taking care of them all the time.

Asked on 3/04/16, 9:27 am

4 Answers from Attorneys

Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

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You probably went through the Dept of Revenue to get child support. Were you married to the father. If not, even though he is paying child support, he has no visitation rights. The Dept of Revenue does not do anything but establish child support. However, why is it that the bio dad seems to move everywhere you move. Seems to me he is staying in touch with his child.

Answered on 3/04/16, 9:53 am

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