Juvenile Dependency
The following instructions have been prepared as a guide in assisting you to reopen your dependency case. It is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for nor construed as legal advice.
In order to reopen your case you must prepare and file a Motion To Reopen and For Modification of Permanency Order and Notice of Hearing with the Lee County Clerk of Courts.
You must attach, to the Motion, all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Parenting class completion certificate
- Substance abuse treatment completion certificate
- Anger management completion certificate (ACT/BAN)
- Victim's counseling (ACT)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2's, letter from employer)
- Proof of housing (lease)
- Proof of attendance at 12-step recovery meetings (AA or NA)
File the Motion with the Lee County Clerk of Courts along with all supporting documentation showing that you have completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed in #1 above.
1700 Monroe Street, First Floor
Fort Myers, FL 33901
After you have filed the Motion to Reopen and for Modification of Permanency Order, contact the office of your assigned judge and the Judicial Assistant will provide you with a hearing date:
- Judicial Assistant to Judge Gilberto Perez: 239-533-2600
- Judicial Assistant to Judge Tracy Redd 239-533-9162
Your Hearing date is:
time:
In front of the Circuit Judge, Lee County Justice Center, 3rd Floor, Courtroom 3A, 1700 Monroe Street, Fort Myers Florida 33901.
You must provide the hearing date and time that you obtained from the Judicial Assistant on the Notice of Hearing form and file the form with the Clerk of Courts.
Within 24 hours of filing the Notice of Hearing, you must send a copy of the Notice of Hearing and the Motion to Reopen and for Modification of Permanency Order, along with all supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed in #1 to:
Florida Department of Children and Families
Children's Legal Services
2295 Victoria Avenue, Suite 254
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Phone number: (239) 895-0217
You must also send a copy to the other parent, the Permanent Guardian(s) or other caregivers who have custody of your child(ren), if known, and the Guardian Ad Litem Program:
Guardian Ad Litem
1700 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
Within 48 hours of filing your Motion, contact Lutheran Services of Florida, Case Management Program Director (Theasha Gibbs) at (239) 470-0016, and let the Program Director know you filed a Motion to Reopen and for Modification of Permanency Order in your case.
Lutheran Services Program
4150 Fort St Extension
Suite 1C
Fort Myers, FL. 33916
- A. The Assistant Program Director will assign your case to a Child Welfare Case Manager who will contact you to set up an appointment. At that appointment the case manager will review your Case Plan tasks and your supporting documentation with you. The case manager may ask you to sign necessary releases, including those that will allow the case manager to verify completion of the required services. If necessary the case manager may contact service providers for additional information, as well as the child(ren)’s current caregivers/guardians to advise of your motion and obtain their input.
- B. The case manager will consult with their supervisor to make a recommendation on the reopening of your case; you will be notified of that recommendation. The recommendation will be presented to the court at your hearing.
- a. If the case manager recommends increased, unsupervised or overnight visitation and/or reunification as appropriate, then the case manager will support the Motion to Reopen and for Modification of Permanency Order and may request permission from the court to reunify you with your child(ren) on that date or a date shortly thereafter. A Judicial Review hearing date will also be set at this hearing.
- b. If the case manager does not recommend that the case be reopened, you will be given an explanation as to why and what you need to do in order to satisfy your Case Plan. The case manager will present their recommendation to the court and then you will also have the opportunity to present your position to the judge at the hearing. The judge will then rule on your Motion to Reopen and for Modification of Permanency Order.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY CASE IS DIFFERENT AND THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OTHER THAN THOSE NOTED ABOVE. FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED HEREIN MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN YOUR HEARING.
DOWNLOADS
The following instructions have been prepared as a guide in assisting you to reopen your dependency case. It is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for nor construed as legal advice.
In order to reopen your case you must prepare and file a Motion To Reopen and For Modification of Permanency Order and Notice of Hearing a must be prepared and filed.
You must attach, to the Motion, all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Parenting class completion certificate
- Substance abuse treatment completion certificate
- Anger management completion certificate (ACT/BAN)
- Victim's counseling (ACT)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2's, letter from employer)
- Proof of housing (lease)
- Proof of attendance at 12-step recovery meetings (AA or NA)
File the Motion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Juvenile Division, to re-open your case, along with all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed above in #1.
Charlotte County Justice Center
350 East Marion Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
The filing fee is $50.00. If you are unable to pay the fee, you may be eligible for a fee waiver. Ask the Clerk for an Application for Determination of Indigent Status form and fill it out. If the Clerk finds you eligible, the fee is waived. If not, you must pay the fee to get the Motion before the court.
After you have filed your Motion contact the Judicial Assistant at 941-833-3033 and she will give you a hearing date.
Your Hearing date is:
time:
Charlotte County Justice Center, 350 East Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.
Don't forget to write this hearing date and time into the Notice of Hearing form before you make copies. The original is filed with the Clerk of Courts, Juvenile Division the same as your motion.
Within 24 hours of filing the Notice of Hearing, send a copy of the Notice of Hearing and the Motion, along with all the supporting documentation showing you completed your Case Plan tasks as listed in #1 to:
- Children's Legal Services
Department of Children and Families
William Isaacs, Esql. Room 203
19500 Cockran Blvd Ste 100
Murdock, FL 33948
- The other parent
- The Permanent Guardians or other caregivers who have custody of your child/children
- Guardian Ad Litem Program
21450 Gibraltar Street
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
- Joyce Mieses, Case Management Program Director
Lutheran Services of Florida
4150 Ford St Ext, Ste 1C
Fort Myers, FL 33916
Within 48 hours of filing your Motion, contact Lutheran Services Florida, Joyce Mieses, Case Management Program Director at (239) 461-7640, and let them know you filed a Motion to Re-open your case.
- A. The Program Director will assign your case to a Child Welfare Case Manager, who will contact you to set up an appointment. At that meeting, the Case Manager will go over your case plan tasks with you and review your supporting documentation. The Case Manager may ask you to sign all necessary releases, including those that will allow the case manager to verify completion of the required services. The Case Manager will also contact service providers if needed. The case manager may also contact the child(ren)'s current caregivers regarding your Motion and obtain their input.
- B. The Case Manager will consult with his/her Supervisor and make a recommendation on Reopening your case, and will notify you of the result. The recommendation will be presented at your Court Hearing.
- i. If the Case Manager recommends increased, unsupervised or overnight visitation and/or reunification as appropriate, then the Case Manager will agree with your Motion to Reopen the case and may request the Court's permission to reunify you with your child(ren) on that date or shortly thereafter. A future Judicial Review hearing date will be set as well at that hearing.
- ii. If the Case Manager recommends not to reopen your case, you will be given an explanation as to why and what you need to do in order to satisfy your case plan. The Case Manager will present this recommendation to the Court, and you will have the opportunity to present your position to the judge, at the Hearing. The judge will then decide whether to grant or deny your Motion.
Please note that every case is different and there are other possible outcomes than those noted above. Failure to adhere to the instructions may result in a delay in your hearing.
DOWNLOADS
The following instructions have been prepared as a guide in assisting you to reopen your dependency case. It is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for nor construed as legal advice.
In order to reopen your case, a Notice of Hearing and Motion To Reopen and For Modification of Permanency Order must be prepared and filed.
You must attach, to the Motion, all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Parenting class completion certificate
- Substance abuse treatment completion certificate
- Anger management completion certificate (ACT/BAN)
- Victim's counseling (ACT)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2's, letter from employer)
- Proof of housing (lease)
- Proof of attendance at 12-step recovery meetings (AA or NA)
Please contact the Juvenile Clerk once you have prepared your motion. You will then be able to obtain a hearing date. The number is: (863) 946-6010
Your Hearing date is:
time:
In front of the Judge William Dorman, Glades County Courthouse, 500 Avenue J, Moore Haven, Florida 33471.
Make sure you write this hearing date into the Notice of Hearing form.
File the Notice of Hearing and Motion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Juvenile Division, to re-open your case, along with all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed above in #1.
Glades County Courthouse
500 Avenue J
Moore Haven, Florida 33471
Within 24 hours of filing the Motion, send a copy of the Notice of Hearing and the Motion, along with all the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed in #1 to:
Department of Children and Families
2295 Victoria Avenue
Post Office Box 60085
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
The phone number is (239) 338-1147.
You must also send a copy to the other parent, the Permanent Guardians or other caregivers who have custody of your child or children, and the Guardian Ad Litem Program
Within 48 hours of filing your Motion, Family Preservation Services of Florida, Case Manager Supervisor, Su Carey at (863) 675-3549 and let the Supervisor know you filed a Motion to Re-open your case.
- A. The Supervisor will assign your case to a Child Welfare Case Manager, who will contact you to set up an appointment. At that meeting, the Case Manager will go over your case plan tasks with you and review your supporting documentation. The Case Manager may ask you to sign all necessary releases, including those that will allow the case manager to verify completion of the required services. The Case Manager will also contact service providers if needed. The case manager may also contact the child(ren)'s current caregivers regarding your Motion and obtain their input.
- B. The Case Manager will consult with his/her Supervisor and make a recommendation on Reopening your case, and will notify you of the result. The recommendation will be presented at your Court Hearing.
- i. If the Case Manager recommends increased, unsupervised or overnight visitation and/or reunification as appropriate, then the Case Manager will agree with your Motion to Reopen the case and may request the Court's permission to reunify you with your child(ren) on that date or shortly thereafter. A future Judicial Review hearing date will be set as well at that hearing.
- ii. If the Case Manager recommends not to reopen your case, you will be given an explanation as to why and what you need to do in order to satisfy your case plan. The Case Manager will present this recommendation to the Court, and you will have the opportunity to present your position to the judge, at the Hearing. The judge will then provide a ruling on your Motion.
Please note that every case is different and there are other possible outcomes than those noted above. Failure to adhere to the instructions may result in a delay in your hearing.
DOWNLOADS
The following instructions have been prepared as a guide in assisting you to reopen your dependency case. It is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for nor construed as legal advice.
In order to reopen your case, a Notice of Hearing and Motion To Reopen and For Modification of Permanency Order must be prepared and filed.
You must attach, to the Motion, all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Parenting class completion certificate
- Substance abuse treatment completion certificate
- Anger management completion certificate (ACT/BAN)
- Victim's counseling (ACT)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, W-2's, letter from employer)
- Proof of housing (lease)
- Proof of attendance at 12-step recovery meetings (AA or NA)
Please contact the Juvenile Clerk once you have prepared your motion. You will then be able to obtain a hearing date. The number is: (863)-675-5217
Your Hearing date is:
time:
In front of the Honorable Darrell R. Hill, Circuit Judge, Hendry County Courthouse, 25 East Hickpochee Avenue, LaBelle, Florida 33935.
Make sure you write this hearing date into the Notice of Hearing form.
File the Notice of Hearing and Motion with the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Juvenile Division, to re-open your case, along with all of the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed above in #1.
Hendry County Courthouse
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
LaBelle, Florida 33935
Within 24 hours of filing the Motion, send a copy of the Notice of Hearing and the Motion, along with all the supporting documentation showing you completed your unfinished Case Plan tasks as listed in #1 to:
Department of Children and Families
2295 Victoria Avenue
Post Office Box 60085
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
The phone number is (239) 338-1147.
You must also send a copy to the other parent, the Permanent Guardians or other caregivers who have custody of your child or children, and the Guardian Ad Litem Program
Within 48 hours of filing your Motion, Family Preservation Services of Florida, Case Manager Supervisor, Su Carey at (863) 675-3549 and let the Supervisor know you filed a Motion to Re-open your case.
- A. The Supervisor will assign your case to a Child Welfare Case Manager, who will contact you to set up an appointment. At that meeting, the Case Manager will go over your case plan tasks with you and review your supporting documentation. The Case Manager may ask you to sign all necessary releases, including those that will allow the case manager to verify completion of the required services. The Case Manager will also contact service providers if needed. The case manager may also contact the child(ren)'s current caregivers regarding your Motion and obtain their input.
- B. The Case Manager will consult with his/her Supervisor and make a recommendation on Reopening your case, and will notify you of the result. The recommendation will be presented at your Court Hearing.
- i. If the Case Manager recommends increased, unsupervised or overnight visitation and/or reunification as appropriate, then the Case Manager will agree with your Motion to Reopen the case and may request the Court's permission to reunify you with your child(ren) on that date or shortly thereafter. A future Judicial Review hearing date will be set as well at that hearing.
- ii. If the Case Manager recommends not to reopen your case, you will be given an explanation as to why and what you need to do in order to satisfy your case plan. The Case Manager will present this recommendation to the Court, and you will have the opportunity to present your position to the judge, at the Hearing. The judge will then provide a ruling on your Motion.
Please note that every case is different and there are other possible outcomes than those noted above. Failure to adhere to the instructions may result in a delay in your hearing.