Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Child Custody

My ex and I recently separated 1 1/2 months ago. We never married but we have a 18 month old son together. He asked me to leave his home which we all lived in together. I was forced to leave my son with him in his care until I could make enough money to have a place of my own and room for my son. My ex is a diagnosed Parinod Scitofrenic by the VA. He has now decided I cannot see my son. I am at a loss because even though I work 45 hours a week, I cannot afford to pay an attorney. My ex has contacted DCF and told them I am abusive and a drug user. This is not true and I volenteered to take a drug test many times with the social worker for this case. She will not return my phone calls and will not even come see my living quaters for inspection. I am so depressed and I feel so helpless. I have pictures to prove his abusivness torwards me while we were living together- and I know he smokes weed infront of my son daily. He has muliple drug charges which he has gone to court for. I need to know where to go to get this sorted out- I feel like the DCF is blowing me off. I am looking for help. We were never married- but he signed his name as the father when our son was born. Please help.


Asked on 7/29/08, 8:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alicia Santana Torres Santana Torres Law Offices, PL

Re: Child Custody

You have to keep calling DCF and if you think he is smoking in from of the child you can file your own complaint with DCF -- call the hotline. Once it gets to court through DCF you should be appointed an attorney. They are perhaps giving this low priority because the child is not with you, the alleged drug-user, so the child is not presumed to be in danger unless there is a complaint against whomever he lives with. With or without an attorney, you have to file a petition for paternity in family court to establish who the parents are, their rights and responsibilities.

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Answered on 7/30/08, 12:24 pm


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