Sawicki Law Blog

I am a transgender man looking to have my name match my gender identity. I am a felon because I possessed a firearm without a permit. For that charge I received probation 5 years ago. Can I change my name and gender markers in FL?   Mark E. Sawicki, P.A. specializes in name changes and even sits on the Florida Bar’s Gender Marker and Name Change Committee. Name change and gender marker...

What is the amount of time that can pass without contact or child support from the father such that it would be considered abandonment? I have sole custody and haven’t seen the father in almost a year and I haven’t received a dime of child support. My new boyfriend wants to adopt the child. What should I do?    Abandonment of the child for such a long time would likely be taken into...

Our parenting plan says that both parents can call our minor child anytime, and especially before bedtime. My daughter’s father refuses to let me talk to my daughter when he has her, but I always allow her to talk to him. I want to speak to my daughter before bedtime. What should I do? Should I file something?   Parenting plans in Florida are required to include a provision regarding...

Our timesharing agreement says we have the alternate weekend schedule and during holidays if a parent would end up with 3 weekends, we would exchange, so no one has 3 weekends in a row. The father had two consecutive weeks in summer, and we follow the regular alternate weekends during summer break. If he picks her up on his regular Friday, shouldn’t he be returning her exactly two weeks later?...

My daughter had a baby with severe health issues. She is unsure of the father but thinks she can find him on Tinder. She was blocked from her account because she posted Pay Pal info. She does not know any other way to contact the father. How should we go about finding this guy and establishing paternity? She wants him to know about the baby and health concerns.   For your own health...

What is the fastest, easiest, and least expensive way to get divorced in Florida? A Simplified Dissolution of Marriage proceeding allows parties to agree on terms of a divorce. The parties then hire an attorney who will then draft a settlement agreement and appear in court before a judge. The whole process can take less than a month and is much cheaper than a litigious divorce. In the event a...

I am filing for 50% custody, but I want visitations at this time because my child’s mother will not allow me to see her. She keeps taking her away from me whenever she feels. How can I get temporary custody of my child when I’m filing for 50% custody? One of the first requirements to obtain temporary custody over a child is that the person seeking temporary custody must be an adult, or...

My mom passed away, but my stepdad left a long time ago. They were separated and my mom just couldn’t afford the divorce. Now that she’s gone, he wants to try and claim the house and kick me (19) and my brother (19) out the house. We’ve been paying the mortgage ever since my mom passed. What can I do? His name is in the house, but my mom was the head. Can my step dad take the house after my...

I’m in DCF care and I turn 16 years in July. I don’t want to be in foster care for three years. They plan on taking my mom’s rights away. My dad is in prison and I really don’t want my sister to be in foster care for eight years. I want to get custody of my sister eventually. I know how hard it is to be emancipated. I know it’s hard to live on my own and take care of myself having a job and...

COVID-19 essential travel and stay at home orders present some challenges in family law. It’s more important than ever to have an experienced, compassionate family law attorney that you can trust for guidance. The Law Office of Mark E. Sawicki is happy to help guide you through these unprecedented times.   Coronavirus quarantine requires families to stay in their homes. Child custody...