Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

child wants to live with his father & i full time

I have a 14 year old step son who wants to live with us full time. We currently have him half of the time and split the other half with his mother. My step son has mentioned for years that he wants to live with us full time. His mother is verbally & mentally abusive to her son. My step son wants to go in front of a judge & ask to be placed with us full time. The boys father & i are very involved in is life & support him in all that he does. It breaks my heart to hear the things his own mother says to him. Unfortunately we do not have the money for an attorney. Unfortunatle we don't have much on record because my step son is afraid it will make the situation with living with him mom worse. Does anyone have any advise. I was thinking that my step son could write a letter to a judge, but I don't know if that will change anything. Please I would appreciate it. I can't bare to see him suffering any longer.


Asked on 4/06/08, 5:06 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Robert Simpson

Re: child wants to live with his father & i full time

Writing a letter to a judge will go unanswered as it is called an "ex parte" communication. The child might get around it if he sends copies to all parties, but that then defeats the purpose of not making things worse for him with his mother. Perhaps some family counseling with everyone might loosen things up all around. A judge will listen to a 14 yr old generally and may even do it out of the presence of the parties (in his/her chambers). Other than that, it may take a court appearance and whatever fight might ensue.

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Answered on 4/08/08, 9:23 am
Robert Simpson

Re: child wants to live with his father & i full time

Writing a letter to a judge will go unanswered as it is called an "ex parte" communication. The child might get around it if he sends copies to all parties, but that then defeats the purpose of not making things worse for him with his mother. Perhaps some family counseling with everyone might loosen things up all around. A judge will listen to a 14 yr old generally and may even do it out of the presence of the parties (in his/her chambers). Other than that, it may take a court appearance and whatever fight might ensue.

Read more
Answered on 4/08/08, 9:57 am


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