Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
Child partial custody
My boyfriend has a daughter who currently lives with her mother down in Florida. We live in New York.
He has not have continual contact in over three years and has no seen or heard from her in over a year. Phone calls get unanswered or if answered, are promised a call back that never happens. Does not know where she currently lives at. When asked, answers are vague. He's been paying child support for 2 years now.
My question is, he would like either partial custody or visitation rights when we go visit in late July. How should we go about this? Do we file the papers in New York and bring them over to Florida or do everything in Florida? can we fill out the papers here and mail them over there?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Child partial custody
Florida has jurisdiction because the child lives here! Any modifications or requests for extended visitation or custody must be filed in Florida. Is the child two? "Partial" custody or extended visitation will not lessen the need for child support. If I were you, I'd get an attorney in the county where the child resides to handle it.
Re: Child partial custody
Everything must be done in Florida.
Mike.