Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Re: Ex husband wont tell me where my child is.

If your agreement provides that your ex was to return your child within 30 days, or if your ex has somehow violated your court-ordered visitation agreement, you can file a motion for contempt and an emergency motion for "pick-up order," which means the police pick up your daughter and call you to get her. You can also ask the police for an Amber alert. Then you can ask that his visitation be terminated, or, at least, that you be allowed to keep your daughter's passport(s) from now on.

Of course, none of this does you any good if he keeps her in Panama with no intent to return her. If that's the case, you need to report the matter to the U.S. Department of State and find a law firm (like mine) with experience in handling Hague cases (international child abduction cases). These cases are usually done in Federal, not state family, court, and the United States government gets involved. They are considered extremely serious and usually involves negotiations between two governments.

Most countries are very compliant in cooperating with the U.S. in terms of returning children and following international law regarding child abduction. Panama isn't one of those countries, so you should act as soon as you fear your ex may intend to keep your daughter in Panama. Call us if this is what you fear.