Help in Writing a Novel (child neglect issues)

[Watchful121]

l am writing a novel that is set in Florida.

Part of the book involves a child custody trial. I am trying to make the chapter realistic. I have just a few questions about how a child custody court would handle a case of child neglect.

Specifically, I am wanting to know what would happen if of one the child's parents was able to prove in court that the child was engaging in animal abuse while in the custody of the other parent. Would that parent simply lose custody, or would that parent also be arrested for child neglect? If the parent responsible for the child were arrested, when would he or she be arrested (immediately after the trial or later?) I am assuming that the evidence for the animal abuse comes to light during the trial--a private detective's video--but not beforehand.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[Proserpina]

l am writing a novel that is set in Florida.

Part of the book involves a child custody trial. I am trying to make the chapter realistic. I have just a few questions about how a child custody court would handle a case of child neglect.

Specifically, I am wanting to know what would happen if of one the child's parents was able to prove in court that the child was engaging in animal abuse while in the custody of the other parent. Would that parent simply lose custody, or would that parent also be arrested for child neglect? If the parent responsible for the child were arrested, when would he or she be arrested (immediately after the trial or later?) I am assuming that the evidence for the animal abuse comes to light during the trial--a private detective's video--but not beforehand.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

We don't do homework here or hypotheticals.

But, I'll offer you this:

You're way off base in your assumptions.

 

[Watchful121]

We don't do homework here or hypotheticals.

But, I'll offer you this:

You're way off base in your assumptions.

In what way am I off base? What is the standard procedure for handling a situation like this? In the novel, this is one of several things that damage the reputation of the parent who has custody. Others include an inadequate domicile and poor performance of the child at school (as well as disciplinary problems at school).

 

[Proserpina]

In what way am I off base? What is the standard procedure for handling a situation like this? In the novel, this is one of several things that damage the reputation of the parent who has custody. Others include an inadequate domicile and poor performance of the child at school (as well as disciplinary problems at school).

If you wish to be taken seriously as a novelist, you'll do you own research. That might involve subscribing to a services such as Lexis, utilizing websites such as Westlaw, that sort of thing. It might involve spending hours in the local law library pouring through custody case law.

It doesn't involve asking volunteers on a legal forum to help you do the hard parts. That's laziness.

 

[Watchful121]

If you wish to be taken seriously as a novelist, you'll do you own research. That might involve subscribing to a services such as Lexis, utilizing websites such as Westlaw, that sort of thing. It might involve spending hours in the local law library pouring through custody case law.

It doesn't involve asking volunteers on a legal forum to help you do the hard parts. That's laziness.

You have no reason to think I haven't looked elsewhere.

Presuming that I haven't...that's stupidity.

 

[Proserpina]

You have no reason to think I haven't looked elsewhere.

Presuming that I haven't...that's stupidity.

You wouldn't be here if you had done that, because you'd already have the answers.

 

[Watchful121]

You wouldn't be here if you had done that, because you'd already have the answers.

Strike two.

The reason I'm here is that I'm looking for more opinions, because so far there isn't any firm agreement on what the consequences are.

 

[Proserpina]

Strike two.

The reason I'm here is that I'm looking for more opinions, because so far there isn't any firm agreement on what the consequences are.

No, you're here because you haven't done one bit of your own research.

But, again, I'll throw a bone for you.

READ. Find out what does and does not constitute neglect and/or abuse. Find out what the criminal penalties might be (because yes, that will matter). Find out what it actually takes to change custody.

Strike two indeed. You're darned lucky it's December.

 

[CJane]

Strike two.

The reason I'm here is that I'm looking for more opinions, because so far there isn't any firm agreement on what the consequences are.

The consequences for what, exactly?

The consequences to a parent for their child's poor behavior?

Kiddo is setting squirrels on fire with Daddy's flamethrower, and you assume Dad will automatically be arrested for neglect because Kiddo was at his house at the time?

Yeah, you've clearly done a crapload of research.

<<< from me
<<< from Proserpina

 

[Proserpina]

The consequences for what, exactly?

The consequences to a parent for their child's poor behavior?

Kiddo is setting squirrels on fire with Daddy's flamethrower, and you assume Dad will automatically be arrested for neglect because Kiddo was at his house at the time?

Yeah, you've clearly done a crapload of research.

<<< from me
<<< from Proserpina

I haz a happy.

 

[stealth2]

We don't do homework here or hypotheticals.

I would - for a share of the royalties. Say... 20%?

Awaiting a contract with appropriate terms...

 

[mistoffolees]

If you wish to be taken seriously as a novelist, you'll do you own research. That might involve subscribing to a services such as Lexis, utilizing websites such as Westlaw, that sort of thing. It might involve spending hours in the local law library pouring through custody case law.

It doesn't involve asking volunteers on a legal forum to help you do the hard parts. That's laziness.

How about this?
There are something like a million posts in this forum so far. OP's question has come up before (not exactly, but close enough to give plenty of guidance). S/he can simply read a bunch of posts to see how it works. Or use the search function.

Or, call your local courthouse to see if you can sit in on some hearings (may require the parties' permission - I've never tried it).

But I agree with Stealth. How about if OP puts up a nice chunk of the royalties and we can use it to pay for a FA party in Tahiti?


OP, you don't seem to understand. Volunteers spend countless hours here because we want to help people in need, many of whom have absolutely nowhere else to turn. We don't appreciate having our time wasted by people who simply don't take the time to research. Spend a few days reading previous threads on this forum and you'll have an idea of how it works.

 

[stealth2]

But I agree with Stealth. How about if OP puts up a nice chunk of the royalties and we can use it to pay for a FA party in Tahiti?

Hey!!! Don't you go spending my money!!!

 

[Proserpina]

Hey!!! Don't you go spending my money!!!

Hey, I'm all in for Tahiti!

Zig's flying us

 

[LdiJ]

Hey, I'm all in for Tahiti!

Zig's flying us

If Zig gets the plane...