How do i write a written response to a modification for a child custody

While you can represent yourself in this type of case, it would be a whole lot better if you hired a lawyer. If you can't afford one, then speak to the people at NOW, National Organization for Women or a similar organization for men if that applies to you and have them assist you in finding a low cost or free attorney to help you. If all that fails, then simply state, in the same form as the papers you were served to modify, the facts of your case and explain why there should be no change in custody, such as the other party doesn't see the child, doesn't support the child, doesn't have proper housing for the child, etc. and ask that the child remain where he/she is now. Good luck.

The Florida rules require a response in which each allegation, (numbered paragraph), is admitted or denied. You can also state that you don't have enough information to allow you to admit or deny. If only part of an allegation is true, you should admit the part that is true and deny the rest. You must file your responce with the clerk of court and serve a copy on the other parent of his/her attorney within 20 days of the date you were given the supplemental petition for modification. Florida permits lawyers to o provide unbuncled legal services meaning that you could have a lawyer prepare your response for a fixed fee without retaining the lawyer for the entire case. This answer is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice upon which anyone should rely; nor does it create any attorrney-client relationship, Stanton L. Cobb Board Certified Marital & Family Law Specialist Fellow - American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers P.O. Box 149223 Orlando, FL 32814-9223 Tel. (407)895-6966 Fax (407)895-6955 email [email protected]

You write a title on the top calling it "Answer to Petition for Modification". Then, you go paragraph by paragraph on each statement in the petition and you answer each using either one of the next three statements, depending on your position on what it is stated or alleged: 1. "admitted" (if you are admitting what is said. Remember, if you write this, you are agreeing with the statement and it would be difficult for you later on to say in court you did not mean to agree with it), 2. "denied" (this means you deny what is requested, or you believe it is not the case), or 3. "without knowledge, therefore denied" (this means you have no clue or idea of what it is stated and, thus, you are denying what is said). You do not give long explanations to what is said, but only the three statements to each paragraph (or parts of each paragraph if needed). Alejandro R. Lopez, Esq. Law Office of Alejandro R. Lopez, P.A. 4465 Edgewater Drive, Suite A Orlando, Fla. 32804 Ph.: (407) 649-1404 Fax: (407) 649-9890 E-mail: [email protected]