Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

I have been raising my 11 year old daughter from birth. Her dad has been visiting with her every second weekend since she was around three. We have never been to court to establish legal guardianship. He has made threats against me saying "when our daughter turns 12 she will live with me" Do you think I should go for sole custody in a court of law?


Asked on 2/10/11, 5:22 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Elliot Goldstein Law Offices of Elliot Jay Goldstein

To stop his threats, you may want to have the Court address custody and child support. This case sounds like a "shared" custody situation (what people think as "joint" custody). Very few cases warrant "sole" custody.

Is he paying child support?

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

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Answered on 2/10/11, 6:11 am
Lucreita Becude Lucreita D. Becude, P.A.

I agree with Mr. Goldstein. If you want to end all this, the Petition the court to establish paternity, child support and visitation. There is no primary custody in the state of Florida anymore. It is now called time sharing - yes one parent will have the physical presence of the child in the home but neither are entitled to primary unless there is some issue that would warrant sole custody with no visitation of the bio father.

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Answered on 2/10/11, 7:07 am


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