The State of Florida’s legislature, in 2003, created what is called a “Putative Father Registry.” This registry was created so unmarried “putative” fathers could register their intent to exercise parental rights to a child who the they believe may have been born by virtue of a sexual relationship they had…
As a Jacksonville Paternity Lawyer, I often have cases where the parties are not married but they have a child in common. In my experience many men falsely believe simply because their name is on the birth certificate that they are legally the fathers. In Florida this is simply not…
As a Jacksonville Family Law Lawyer, I receive numerous inquiries regarding issues relating to termination of parental rights. For example, just this morning a mother contacted me and asked if she could terminate the parental rights of her daughter’s biological father. The biological father had not seen the child since…
St. Petersburg Times reported on Sunday, August 21, 2011, that a Pinellas County woman was arrested on charges of sale of parental rights and violation of probation for grand theft. According to reports, sometime last week, Jessica Marie Beers, 28, offered to sell her son to James Gardner and his…
Florida Statute 39.806 governs termination of parental rights in Florida. The Statute not only specifies what are grounds for termination of parental rights but also specifies circumstances which do not establish grounds for termination of parental rights. Circumstances that do not establish grounds for terminating parental rights include: mental illness…
A Parenting Plan is a document that governs the way divorcing parties relate to one another about the decisions made regarding their children. A Parenting Plan includes a time-sharing schedule that dictates when the parties’ children will be spending time with each parent, including overnights, weekends, holidays and summer breaks.…
If you are parent of a teenage girl in Florida, I am sure you have seen the show 16 and Pregnant, documenting the tribulations of teenage pregnancy. Some of these teens contemplate abortion. It is important to know that in Florida the parents of a teen who is pregnant have…
If you live in Jacksonville, you’ve likely heard of Cristian Fernandez, the 12-year-old charged with first-degree murder of his 2-year-old brother. You may also have heard that Cristian’s mother, Biannela Susana, is being charged with negligent homicide. It is alleged that Ms. Susana was not at home at the time…
Florida law stipulates that families resolve differences over grandparent time-sharing within the family. However, when families are unable to resolve differences relating to grandparent time-sharing, the law provides that the family shall participate in any formal or informal mediation services that may be available. As a Jacksonville Family Law Attorney,…
As a family law attorney in Florida, I often have cases where the parties are not married but they have a child in common. Many people have the false impression that simply because they are on the birth certificate that this acknowledges that they are the father. THIS IS NOT…