Tag: family
-
New Florida Bill Seeks to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients’ Parental Rights
A new bill in Florida seeks to prevent family courts from restricting custody or visitation rights solely due to a parent’s legal medical marijuana use. It aims to ensure fair treatment for medical marijuana patients in custody disputes, aligning family law with state marijuana regulations while addressing safety concerns raised by critics.
-
False Paternity, Real Consequences: Georgia Case Highlights a Blind Spot in Child Support Trust
A Georgia case highlights concerns in family law regarding trust and child support enforcement. An 18-year-old, Brya Hardy, allegedly deceived her ex-boyfriend into paying $7,000 in child support for a child that wasn’t his. This incident raises questions about verification processes and the potential for exploitation in informal child support claims.
-
Lakeland Murder-Suicide Highlights Deadly Mix of Alcohol, Domestic Violence, and Crisis Failures
A Christmas-week tragedy in Lakeland left a mother dead, a teenage girl critically wounded, and three children without their parents after an alcohol-fueled domestic dispute escalated into a murder-suicide. Authorities say the case highlights how unreported abuse, substance use, and moments of crisis can turn fatal with devastating consequences for families.
-
A Father Steps Forward: Georgia Custody Case Exposes Gaps in Unmarried Parents’ Rights
A Georgia family court ruling granted Adrian Harden full custody of his son Chance after the death of the boy’s mother, revealing gaps in state law that hinder parental rights for unmarried fathers. Advocates are calling for “Chance’s Law” to reform these outdated legal barriers and prevent unnecessary government intervention in such cases.
-
Florida Lawmakers Revisit Grandparent Visitation — A Narrow Proposal Raises Big Questions About Family, Courts, and Child Welfare
As Florida approaches the 2026 legislative session, SB 674 seeks to expand grandparents’ rights to petition for visitation under specific tragic circumstances while prioritizing parental rights. The bill aims to ensure children’s emotional stability amidst loss but raises concerns about subjective interpretations in family court. Public attention to this legislation is critical.
-
Operation Northern Lights: A Quiet but Powerful Win for Florida’s Most Vulnerable Children
Operation Northern Lights successfully recovered 43 missing children across Florida and neighboring states, showcasing effective law enforcement collaboration. Led by the U.S. Marshals Service, this operation highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and resulted in significant arrests. However, it also raised questions about the underlying causes of child disappearances and the need for preventive measures.
-
South Carolina’s Coercive Control Bill Could Redefine Abuse — and Reshape Family Court
South Carolina’s Senate Bill 702 aims to recognize “coercive control” as domestic abuse, significantly altering how family courts handle custody and divorce cases. While supporters see it as a means to protect victims of psychological abuse, critics warn it may infringe on due process rights, creating potential for misuse in contentious family disputes.
-
South Carolina’s Family Court Fight Offers a Warning for Florida: Why Shared Parenting Reform Matters
A debate in South Carolina over shared-parenting reform highlights concerns that resonate in Florida, where similar issues persist. Advocate Rom Reddy argues for a 50/50 parenting presumption, revealing court overreach and inconsistencies. He emphasizes that reforms must be enforced to protect parental rights, ensure accountability, and prevent false accusations, impacting families nationwide.
Florida Bay News 