Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
I am in Florida and will be going to a court ordered mediation for a petition I filed for an increase in child support. Will I or my ex be able to bring up other modification topics at this mediation? I want to file a motion for modification so I can join my current husband who was forced to move out of state for work. If I can do all this at once, it would save time and money.
1 Answer from Attorneys
You need to file a Motion to Amend the Petition. In the Amended Petition you should seek leave to relocate. This should all be done prior to mediation, with the proposed Amended Petition being attached to the the Motion. There are statutory rules for what the Amended Petition will need to state, and how it needs to be stated. If you cannot afford to retain counsel, then do the best you can.
In Florida, with family law cases, depending on the parties' comparative financial resources, the Courts have the discretion to hold one party responsible for all, or part, of the other's attorney fees and costs. In other words, if the other party has significantly stronger financial resources, do not assume that you will not be able to afford to retain an attorney.
If you opt to proceed without the assistance of counsel, be aware that you will not be entitled to a �do over� if things go badly.
The above information is provided without any consideration/payment having been received, and without full knowledge of all of the facts.
An internet inquiry is no substitution for an in-office consultation with an attorney.
If your situation falls within the Greater Tampa Bay area, I would be happy to schedule you for a no obligation half hour office consultation. The main office is in Dunedin, with a satellite location in Tampa.
Feel free to Google me.
Good Luck, Elliot Goldstein
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
1587 Main St., Ste. C
Dunedin, FL 34698
Tele. No.: 727/455-6596
Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein, P.A.
550 N. Reo St. Ste. 300
Tampa, FL 33609
Tele. No.: 813/810-1500