Legal Documents Prepared on a Budget
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
Kudos to Volusia County Clerk of Court Laura E. Roth and her Staff of Friendly and Knowledgeable Professionals My mother (God rest her soul) used to say that it was always important to give credit where credit is due, because it keeps you right with the world. I think it’s time that I share my … 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
The Florida Parenting Class Requirement Most everyone knows by now that if you are a party to a divorce with minor children or going through a paternity action, the State of Florida requires that you take an approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course of at least 4-hours. This divorce parenting class is court-ordered in … 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 … 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
Help with Florida Divorce Papers and Forms You probably already know that just about everything has it’s own, “National Day.” As I type this on January 3rd contemplating my evening meal, I can’t quite decide whether I want to toast to National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, National Drinking Straw Day, or National Fruitcake Toss day. … Read more
Dreams without action. What do you have left? Dreams. Some of the most successful people in history were dreamers, but they obviously did more than sleep… they took the next step. One of my favorite quotes goes something like this… If you don’t pursue your dreams, someone else will pay you to pursue theirs. How … Read more