Florida Family Law Petition Paperwork

[HwHarden]

My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Florida!

Ok, well I've currently began my first steps in seeing my daughter. Now, neither I nor the babys mother has custody. It was never disputed. So, I've acquired Family Law Form 12.983 and all associated paperwork to complete the packet. The only problem I am having right now is who to file this against seeing as this is the first time we are going through this. The mother was just recently released from a rehab in Hawaii. I've been sitting back in hopes to have most of my past child support caught up but due to her being released, I do believe the grandparents (who have my daughter) are trying to hurry up and get her over there on Sept. 27. Now, I know I can keep my daughter her once the paperwork is filed and they've been served till the end of this case. Now do I file this paperwork against the grandparents who have physical and have had physical custody for the last 4 years or against the mother? Please note that I have already been summoned by the grandfather in child support court and thats who the current child support order pays out to. Any help would be grateful, thank you!

[Mr. Knowitall]

If this is a protective proceeding, with your parental rights suspended due to your inability to care for the child and the state placing the child with the grandparents, then you will need to work through the court that ordered the placement to recover your rights. The court's orders likely spell out the steps you need to take before you'll be considered an appropriate custodian.

If this is a guardianship, with a court having appointed the grandparents as the guardians of the child, the answer is the same - and it would be helpful to know if the grandparents are full or limited guardians and what the court's order says about your regaining custody.

If we're talking about something else, fill us in.