Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

dependency arraignment

i recived a paper from the sherriff to attend a dependency arraignment stating that i have had no contact with my daught in over a year and have not supported her the mother is in jail and dcf stepped in and now the maternal uncle has my daughter under a shelter ordered i wasnt notified of this and didnt know till i recieved this noticed i want to get custody i will admit i am back on child support since april can the arrest me when i go to cort for this mattter on back payments and the abandament charge i have sean my daughter not much but ex moved around alot lost contact but it wasnt over a year what are my chances of getting custody i have changed my life for the bettter and i am stable now i want to do the right thing a do i need a lawywer for this hearing?


Asked on 8/20/05, 1:25 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Susan Pniewski Law Offices of Susan Pniewski PA

Re: dependency arraignment

You should get an attorney. YOu have the right to have your child pending an examination of your living circumstances. You should see if they have a warrant out for you for child support. You can call child support enforcement for that info. You should go to the hearing and tell the judge you want your child. Make sure they know you weren't notified of anything prior and you lost contact because the mother moved the child so much. Be ready for a homestudy and take any classes on parenting you can get in the meantime.

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Answered on 8/21/05, 11:10 pm


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