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THE HIGH COST OF MISINFORMATION PRO SE (NON-LAWYER) ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA If I were given the task of picking the one thing that most adversely affects pro se petitioners filing cases in the Florida Courts, it would have to be, hands down, the issue of misinformation. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines misinformation as “incorrect or misleading … Read more
Can I Adopt My Grandchild(ren) or Close Relative in Florida Affordably Without an Attorney? Most likely, yes! Your reasons for adopting your grandchild(ren) or relative are varied, but your situation is all too common across Florida. It is estimated that almost a half-million children in Florida live in homes with their grandparents or other close … Read more
Frequently we receive calls at Florida Family Adoptions where the pro se party has “heard” or has been “told” something about Florida adoptions that isn’t accurate. I have compiled a list of the most common myths and realities, and I hope this will help others who are contemplating filing a pro se grandparent, relative, step-parent … Read more
But I don’t know where they are! – When birth parents can’t be located. One of the most common scenarios we encounter at Florida Family Adoptions is when we get a call from a relative (mostly grandparents) wishing to adopt their grandchildren, but they don’t know where the biological parents are. Unlocated parents can present … Read more
What Is the Florida Putative Father Registry? During the Adoption Reform Act of 2003, the State of Florida instituted the Putative Father Registry, which is established within the Florida Department of Health. In general terms, a putative father is defined as a man, whose relationship to a child has not been legally established but who … Read more
You Want to Adopt, but DCF (Florida Department of Children and Families) has Sheltered or Placed your Grandchild or Relative in Foster Care? One of the most heartbreaking and common inquiries we receive at Florida Family Adoptions are relatives (usually grandparents) reaching out for help with filing a pro se Relative Adoption when the child … Read more
COURT ACCESS IN FLORIDA: THE VIEW FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES Justice in Florida will be accessible, fair, effective, responsive, and accountable. ~ Vision of the Florida Judicial Branch – 2008 Over ten years ago, these words led the report from the Florida Supreme Court’s Commission on Trial Court Performance and Accountability addressing the issue of Pro … Read more
THE REAL DEAL ABOUT RELATIVE ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA Over the past 25 years, the face of Florida families has changed dramatically. As a result, there are more grandparents raising grandchildren and aunts and uncles raising nieces and nephews. Adult siblings are stepping up to adopt and raise their younger siblings. It’s only logical that the … Read more
ADOPTION BY GRANDPARENTS AND STEP PARENTS IN FLORIDA I have previously blogged about the mechanics of Florida stepparent and relative adoptions and Florida grandparent adoption forms and Florida relative and stepparent adoption forms. Now I’d like to take a little time to discuss the many advantages and benefits of a stepparent or grandparent adoption, both … Read more
A woman in South Florida called the other day. She wanted to file relative adoption forms in order to adopt her nephew, who she has raised since birth. As a pro se party (no attorney representation), she was having difficulty finding the proper Florida relative adoption forms necessary to bring her case to conclusion. She … Read more