This article is being written to conclude and recap my series on filing for guardianship of a child in Melbourne, Florida. I felt it was necessary to write on this topic due to the fact that, for obvious reasons, many individuals do not know what to do when they feel a child is in danger. It is important to understand how to navigate the legal process of filing for guardianship of a child when these situations arise. Taking matters into your own hands will likely make matters worse. The goal of my recent articles was to provide information which will assist people in better understanding how to work within the system. It has also been my goal to provide information which will assist with the selection of an attorney. If you are in need of assistance, then contact my office today to speak with a Melbourne lawyer. We also assist individuals in other Brevard County areas and throughout the state.
I addressed multiple topics over my recent articles. The issues which I looked at included:
- Who may, and who may not, file for guardianship of a Florida child
- Situations under which the Court may grant a guardianship
- The process of obtaining a guardianship
- What to expect after a guardianship is granted
There are multiple reasons why I chose to address these issues. First, Florida courts only allow certain relatives, stepparents, or “fictive kin” to file for guardianship of a child. If one does not fall into these categories, and believes that a child is in danger, then they should contact law enforcement or DCF. Second, the Court will grant a non-parent temporary custody only if the child’s best interests are truly at risk. Third, understanding what to expect at the proceedings will help to ensure that things go more smoothly. Finally, custody given to a non-parent will not be permanent in nature. Rather, it will be the goal of the Court, when possible, to reunite the child or children with their parents.
Guardianships and non-parental custody are issues which Florida Courts take very seriously. If you are in need of assistance, then it is strongly suggested that you speak with an attorney. Our Melbourne guardianship lawyers understand that you may be facing a serious situation and we will give your case the attention it deserves. Contact us online or by telephone to schedule an initial consultation. We are looking forward to being of assistance. We also serve the Brevard County cities of Titusville, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Grant, Valkaria, and Rockledge, as well as in the Indian River County areas of Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Indian River Shores, and Orchid.