My journey through the Florida family court system has been a heart-wrenching experience for both me and my children. As a parent, I believed that the courts would act in the best interests of my 12 and 14-year-old children, but the reality we faced was quite different. Living in separate cities from their other parent, we hoped for a fair opportunity for my children to express their preferences on where they felt safe and loved.

Unfortunately, the judge refused to hear directly from them, denying them a voice in decisions that affect their lives profoundly. Even when my daughter's therapist supported her claims of mental and physical abuse and neglect by her father and stepmother, the evidence was dismissed based on technicalities like "hearsay." Moreover, the biased report from a parent evaluator further clouded the truth, ultimately leaving my children in distressing circumstances.

This petition aims to empower children aged 12 and above in Florida, granting them the right to voice their preferences in custody arrangements during court proceedings. Such a law would ensure that their opinions are not only heard but also considered seriously by judges, fostering a more just and transparent judicial process. 

Why is this change necessary? Children's wellbeing and safety should be a priority in any custody dispute. Statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence show that nearly 15.5 million children in the U.S. live in families where domestic violence is a regular occurrence. By allowing children to have a say, we acknowledge their firsthand experience and protect them from harmful environments.   Child abuse, mistreatment, neglect and emotional abuse happens in their home with no hard evidence. The only hope they have is their voice and when that is silenced, they usually lose. They end up spending 18 years of their childhood in a home that is not loving and supportive just because 1 parent holding power over the other parent is more important. 

Moreover, states like California and New York have already adopted similar laws, recognizing that children’s voices can provide crucial insights into their best interests. Establishing this in Florida would prevent disregarding critical evidence of abuse and ensure children's rights and safety are prioritized.

We call upon Florida legislators to act now and propose a bill that will create a platform for empowering our youth and safeguarding their future. This law should also include safeguards like training programs for judges on child psychology and unbiased evaluation processes to ensure fair outcomes.

Please sign this petition to demand that Florida's legal system protects our children by listening to their voices. Together, we can initiate the change needed to build a better, safer future for our children in family court situations.