Parents are required to take adequate care of their children. This means providing them with food, shelter, medical care, and keeping them safe from harm. Unfortunately, there are instances where parents neglect these obligations and it becomes necessary for a family member to take over. While other states limit relatives to simply obtaining a guardianship, Florida allows for the taking of temporary custody. If you need to take action in order to protect a child from abuse, neglect, or abandonment contact an attorney immediately. Our Melbourne temporary child custody lawyer assists with such situations. Call our office today to speak with an attorney.
Melbourne attorney assisting Brevard County residents with obtaining temporary custody of a child
Florida law allows one to seek temporary custody of a child who has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Under Chapter 751 of our state’s statutes a person may seek temporary custody if they are a stepparent of the child and no divorce is pending, or if they are a third-degree relative of the child, either by blood or marriage. It is understandable that you may feel anxiety over requesting temporary custody from a Court; an extreme amount of tension will be created between yourself and the biological parents. It is important in such situations to remember that the best interest of the child are paramount and they may be scarred for life if you do not help them during a desperate situation.
The first step in such a matter is to file a Petition for Extended Custody By Extended Family. Once the parents are served with the Petition then they will have twenty days to file a response. If a resolution cannot be reached then the matter will need to proceed to trial. It will typically be required that you attend mediation before attending trial. Depending on the circumstances you may be awarded temporary custody pending the trial. Hiring an attorney to help you with the process is crucial.
Lindsey Gardner Shneyder is a Melbourne family law attorney assisting with cases where Brevard County residents seek temporary custody of a child. Lindsey recognizes that such matters involve issues of safety and need to be treated as a priority. She will quickly file your Petition and do everything in her ability to expedite the process. If necessary, she will retain an investigator and use the process to uncover evidence of criminal activity, drug abuse, or other conduct which places the child at risk. Our firm will ensure that you know what to expect from the process, promptly return phone calls, and keep you involved as the case moves forward. Our lawyer focuses on the law so that you may focus on family. Call us today.
We also service clients in 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.
Affordable temporary custody attorney for Melbourne relatives of children
If you are worried about a young relative then you do not need additional concerns over finances. Lindsey handles most matters for an affordable flat fee and often accepts a modified payment arrangement. Rather than paying a huge retainer, and receiving a large bill each month, this fee structure allows you to know what legal representation is actually going to cost. We understand that many Melbourne residents are struggling financially. Our goal is to provide assistance which is both effective and affordable.