We, the undersigned, call for comprehensive reform of the family law system in Polk County, Florida, to protect and ensure the parental rights of both mothers and fathers. Specifically, we seek to establish reforms that guarantee shared parenting and time-sharing equality, ensuring that both parents—whether married or unwed—have equal opportunities to be actively involved in their children’s lives during the court process.

Currently, unwed fathers, even those who have signed the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) and are listed on the birth certificate, face undue obstacles when attempting to establish their parental rights. Too often, fathers are unjustly withheld from their children during lengthy legal proceedings to establish paternity and time-sharing. This system causes unnecessary emotional distress for both parents and children, undermining the well-being of families.

Key Points:

Advocate for shared parenting rights and time-sharing equality, ensuring that both parents—whether mother or father—have equal access to their children and can actively contribute to their upbringing.

Demand legal reforms that prevent one parent from withholding the children during the petition process to establish paternity or time-sharing, ensuring a prompt and fair legal proceeding that prevents undue emotional harm.

Raise awareness and prevention of parental alienation, which negatively impacts the emotional health of children, and implement measures to protect the child’s relationship with both parents.

Close the existing gaps in the legal system that allow parents to use their children as leverage in disputes, particularly where parental alienation is involved. This reform is essential to protect the rights of both parents and the best interests of the children.

Why This Matters

The current system leaves many fathers, including myself, in situations where we are unfairly distanced from our children, despite our legal rights being clearly established through VAP or birth certificate recognition. The emotional toll on both parents and children is profound. Prolonged legal battles often fail to provide timely and effective resolutions, leaving families torn apart by an inefficient system that does not prioritize the emotional needs of the children or the rights of the parents.

Parental alienation remains a prevalent issue, further complicating the ability of both parents to co-parent effectively. The current legal system lacks sufficient remedies to address this issue. Fathers and mothers alike deserve to have their parental rights protected, and children deserve to have access to the love and support of both parents.

Our Call to Action

We urge local legislators in Polk County to take immediate action to address these issues by implementing the necessary reforms in family law. This includes creating a process that ensures neither parent is unfairly withheld from their children while their parental rights and time-sharing agreements are being established. These reforms will help ensure that the best interests of the child remain the central focus of any family law case.

Support This Change

We ask you to stand with us in advocating for reform to protect the rights of parents and children alike. Your signature on this petition will show that you support meaningful change in our family law system, which is necessary to ensure a brighter, more stable future for children in Polk County and beyond.

Please sign this petition to help us advocate for a fair, just, and balanced family law system. Together, we can create a better future for our children.