Does the defendant have to show up in a misdemeanor case for petty theft..cant i get a waiver to attend

With a private attorney, in misdemeanor case, your attorney can file a waiver of personal appearance at pre-trials pursuant to the Florida Rules...

Does a minor child of 13 have the right to change visitation agreement?

While the child has no independent right, I have personally seen , on multiple occasions, judges talk in chambers to children who are determined to...

I received a summons to foreclosure on my home, I can't afford to save it, what do I do

If you cannot afford to save the home via hiring a foreclosure defense attorney, then I would immediately take your summons to the nearest legal...

Can I sue the bank? If so, can I retract the contract and start over if I'm now in foreclosure as a result?

From the facts you describe, you likely have a basis for a counterclaim as well as numeras affirmative defenses to the bank's suit against you. If...

How do I get emergency custody?

This is a tricky issue. If you feel the child is in immediate danger of neglect and have facts that support this (lack of hot water and...

How do I file a written response to dismiss a summons I received for supplemental petition for parenting plan?

I cannot agree more with the above response regarding the potential harm that comes from pro se litigants in family law. On a weekly basis, I am...

What does a Motion for Court Default do to me in my home foreclosure process? Is this just part of the process?

Pro se litigants unfortunately are often defaulted in the foreclosure process. This essentially means as others have indicated that your answer and...

Does Florida recognize common law marriage? I left my career of 18 years for someone promised to take care of me forever.

The vast majority of jurisdictions, including Florida, have abolished common law marriage, meaning you will not be entitled to any compensation for...

In my experience, with determining time-sharing, judges truly consider a range of factors that are not easily reflected in the statutory definition...

What is the purpose of a Default judgment in family law cases? It almost feels meaningless

A default judgment basically occurs when the other party fails to comply with essential requirements of the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure or the...