This document should be used by an extended family member to obtain temporary custody of a child or children pursuant to Chapter 751, Florida Statutes.

An Extended Family Member is: A relative of a minor child within the third degree by blood or marriage to the parent; OR The stepparent of a minor child if the stepparent is currently married to the parent of the child and is not a party in a pending dissolution, separate maintenance, domestic violence, or other civil or criminal proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction involving one or both of the children’s parents as an adverse party; OR An individual who qualifies as “fictive kin.” As defined in section 39.01, Florida Statutes, fictive kin means a person unrelated by birth, marriage, or adoption who has an emotionally significant relationship, which possesses the characteristics of a family relationship, to a child. You may file a Petition for Temporary Custody if: You have the signed, notarized consents of the children’s legal parents; OR You are an extended family member who is caring full time for the children in the role of a substitute parent and with whom the children are presently living.