Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

Hi my name is Kay. I have a few question I would like to ask I have a child that currently lives her father in florida and he has filed for petition for custody and I live in Columbus, GA I have 16 days to contest to the order. Well he has taken her and has held her for five years now it has been five yrs now that he is stable and has stop moving around he has filed for custody. I have not been able to locate her whereabouts until now. I dont have very much money and know that I have to act fast to the pettion or lose custody and whatever the demands he request will be awarded to him. I feel lost and hopeless and everywhere I go everyone is telling me they can't help me and need proper family law attorney which i cannot afford.Please if there anything anybody can do for me I would greatly appreicate it. Thank you.

Sincerly,

Kay


Asked on 5/19/10, 4:47 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
David Slater David P. Slater, Esq.

You must appear in the proceeding or lose by default. You may qualify to have the father pay your attorney fee.

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Answered on 5/24/10, 7:46 am
Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

Answer the pleading the best you can and then title a portion of it counterclaim and state all the times you have tried to find your child etc. Then file the original answer in the court house where he filed and send him and/or his attorney a copy. AFter that the judge will probably set a hearing - be sure to go to it and fight for your rights. The judge will give you more leverage if you are not able to afford an attonrey. Don't delay your answer and counterclaim.

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Answered on 5/24/10, 3:07 pm


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