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Florida Statute 39.521 - Full Text and Legal Analysis
Florida Statute 39.521 | Lawyer Caselaw & Research
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The 2025 Florida Statutes

Title V
JUDICIAL BRANCH
Chapter 39
PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO CHILDREN
View Entire Chapter
39.521 Disposition hearings; powers of disposition.
(1) A disposition hearing shall be conducted by the court, if the court finds that the facts alleged in the petition for dependency were proven in the adjudicatory hearing, or if the parents or legal custodians have consented to the finding of dependency or admitted the allegations in the petition, have failed to appear for the arraignment hearing after proper notice, or have not been located despite a diligent search having been conducted.
(a) A written case plan and a family functioning assessment prepared by an authorized agent of the department must be approved by the court. The department must file the case plan and the family functioning assessment with the court, serve copies on the parents of the child, and provide copies to all other parties:
1. Not less than 72 hours before the disposition hearing, if the disposition hearing occurs on or after the 60th day after the date the child was placed in out-of-home care. All such case plans must be approved by the court.
2. Not less than 72 hours before the case plan acceptance hearing, if the disposition hearing occurs before the 60th day after the date the child was placed in out-of-home care and a case plan has not been submitted pursuant to this paragraph, or if the court does not approve the case plan at the disposition hearing. The case plan acceptance hearing must occur within 30 days after the disposition hearing to review and approve the case plan.
(b) The court may grant an exception to the requirement for a family functioning assessment by separate order or within the judge’s order of disposition upon finding that all the family and child information required by subsection (2) is available in other documents filed with the court.
(c) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court having jurisdiction of the child has the power by order to:
1. Require the parent and, when appropriate, the legal guardian or the child to participate in treatment and services identified as necessary. The court may require the person who has custody or who is requesting custody of the child to submit to a mental health or substance abuse disorder assessment or evaluation. The order may be made only upon good cause shown and pursuant to notice and procedural requirements provided under the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The mental health assessment or evaluation must be administered by a qualified professional as defined in s. 39.01, and the substance abuse assessment or evaluation must be administered by a qualified professional as defined in s. 397.311. The court may also require such person to participate in and comply with treatment and services identified as necessary, including, when appropriate and available, participation in and compliance with a mental health court program established under chapter 394 or a treatment-based drug court program established under s. 397.334. Adjudication of a child as dependent based upon evidence of harm as defined in s. 39.01(37)(g) demonstrates good cause, and the court shall require the parent whose actions caused the harm to submit to a substance abuse disorder assessment or evaluation and to participate and comply with treatment and services identified in the assessment or evaluation as being necessary. In addition to supervision by the department, the court, including the mental health court program or the treatment-based drug court program, may oversee the progress and compliance with treatment by a person who has custody or is requesting custody of the child. The court may impose appropriate available sanctions for noncompliance upon a person who has custody or is requesting custody of the child or make a finding of noncompliance for consideration in determining whether an alternative placement of the child is in the child’s best interests. Any order entered under this subparagraph may be made only upon good cause shown. This subparagraph does not authorize placement of a child with a person seeking custody of the child, other than the child’s parent or legal custodian, who requires mental health or substance abuse disorder treatment.
2. Require, if the court deems necessary, the parties to participate in dependency mediation.
3. Require placement of the child either under the protective supervision of an authorized agent of the department in the home of one or both of the child’s parents or in the home of a relative of the child or another adult approved by the court, or in the custody of the department. Protective supervision continues until the court terminates it or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever date is first. Protective supervision shall be terminated by the court whenever the court determines that permanency has been achieved for the child, whether with a parent, another relative, or a legal custodian, and that protective supervision is no longer needed. The termination of supervision may be with or without retaining jurisdiction, at the court’s discretion, and shall in either case be considered a permanency option for the child. The order terminating supervision by the department must set forth the powers of the custodian of the child and include the powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a minor unless otherwise specified. Upon the court’s termination of supervision by the department, further judicial reviews are not required if permanency has been established for the child.
4. Determine whether the child has a strong attachment to the prospective permanent guardian and whether such guardian has a strong commitment to permanently caring for the child.
(d) At the conclusion of the disposition hearing, the court shall schedule the initial judicial review hearing which must be held no later than 90 days after the date of the disposition hearing or after the date of the hearing at which the court approves the case plan, whichever occurs earlier, but in no event shall the review hearing be held later than 6 months after the date of the child’s removal from the home.
(e) The court shall, in its written order of disposition, include all of the following:
1. The placement or custody of the child.
2. Special conditions of placement and visitation.
3. Evaluation, counseling, treatment activities, and other actions to be taken by the parties, if ordered.
4. The persons or entities responsible for supervising or monitoring services to the child and parent.
5. Continuation or discharge of the guardian ad litem, as appropriate.
6. The date, time, and location of the next scheduled review hearing and, if applicable, instructions for appearance through audio or audio-video communication technology, which must occur within the earlier of:
a. Ninety days after the disposition hearing;
b. Ninety days after the court accepts the case plan;
c. Six months after the date of the last review hearing; or
d. Six months after the date of the child’s removal from his or her home, if no review hearing has been held since the child’s removal from the home.
7. If the child is in an out-of-home placement, child support to be paid by the parents, or the guardian of the child’s estate if possessed of assets which under law may be disbursed for the care, support, and maintenance of the child. The court may exercise jurisdiction over all child support matters, shall adjudicate the financial obligation, including health insurance, of the child’s parents or guardian, and shall enforce the financial obligation as provided in chapter 61. The state’s child support enforcement agency shall enforce child support orders under this section in the same manner as child support orders under chapter 61. Placement of the child is not contingent upon issuance of a support order.
8.a. If the court does not commit the child to the temporary legal custody of an adult relative, legal custodian, or other adult approved by the court, the disposition order must include the reasons for such a decision and include a determination as to whether diligent efforts were made by the department to locate an adult relative, legal custodian, or other adult willing to care for the child in order to present that placement option to the court instead of placement with the department.
b. If a suitable relative is not found and the child is placed with the department or a legal custodian or other adult approved by the court, both the department and the court must consider transferring temporary legal custody to an adult relative approved by the court at a later date, but neither the department nor the court is obligated to so place the child if it is in the child’s best interest to remain in the current placement.

For the purposes of this section, “diligent efforts to locate an adult relative” means a search similar to the diligent search for a parent, but without the continuing obligation to search after an initial adequate search is completed.

9. Other requirements necessary to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the child, to preserve the stability of the child’s child care, early education program, or any other educational placement, and to promote family preservation or reunification whenever possible.
(f) If the court finds that an in-home safety plan prepared or approved by the department will allow the child to remain safely at home or that conditions for return have been met and an in-home safety plan prepared or approved by the department will allow the child to be safely returned to the home, the court shall allow the child to remain in or return to the home after making a specific finding of fact that the child’s safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional health will not be endangered.
(g) If the court places the child in an out-of-home placement, the disposition order must include a written determination that the child cannot safely remain at home with an in-home safety plan and that removal of the child is necessary to protect the child. If the child is removed before the disposition hearing, the order must also include a written determination as to whether, after removal, the department made a reasonable effort to reunify the parent and child. Reasonable efforts to reunify are not required if the court finds that any of the acts listed in s. 39.806(1)(f)-(l) have occurred. The department has the burden of demonstrating that it made reasonable efforts.
1. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “reasonable effort” means the exercise of reasonable diligence and care by the department to provide the services ordered by the court or delineated in the case plan.
2. In support of its determination as to whether reasonable efforts have been made, the court shall:
a. Enter written findings as to whether an in-home safety plan could have prevented removal.
b. If an in-home safety plan was indicated, include a brief written description of what appropriate and available safety management services were initiated.
c. Indicate in writing why further efforts could or could not have prevented or shortened the separation of the parent and child.
3. A court may find that the department made a reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for removal if:
a. The first contact of the department with the family occurs during an emergency;
b. The department’s assessment of the home situation indicates a substantial and immediate danger to the child’s safety or physical, mental, or emotional health which cannot be mitigated by the provision of safety management services;
c. The child cannot safely remain at home, because there are no safety management services that can ensure the health and safety of the child or, even with appropriate and available services being provided, the health and safety of the child cannot be ensured; or
d. The parent is alleged to have committed any of the acts listed as grounds for expedited termination of parental rights under s. 39.806(1)(f)-(l).
4. A reasonable effort by the department for reunification has been made if the appraisal of the home situation by the department indicates that the severity of the conditions of dependency is such that reunification efforts are inappropriate. The department has the burden of demonstrating to the court that reunification efforts were inappropriate.
5. If the court finds that the provision of safety management services by the department would not have permitted the child to remain safely at home, the court may commit the child to the temporary legal custody of the department or take any other action authorized by this chapter.
(2) The family functioning assessment must provide the court with the following documented information:
(a) Evidence of maltreatment and the circumstances accompanying the maltreatment.
(b) Identification of all danger threats active in the home.
(c) An assessment of the adult functioning of the parents.
(d) An assessment of the parents’ general parenting practices and the parents’ disciplinary approach and behavior management methods.
(e) An assessment of the parents’ behavioral, emotional, and cognitive protective capacities.
(f) An assessment of child functioning.
(g) A safety analysis describing the capacity for an in-home safety plan to control the conditions that result in the child being unsafe and the specific actions necessary to keep the child safe.
(h) Identification of the conditions for return which would allow the child to be placed safely back into the home with an in-home safety plan and any safety management services necessary to ensure the child’s safety.
(i) The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.
(j) Child welfare history from the department’s Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) and criminal records check for all caregivers, family members, and individuals residing within the household from which the child was removed.
(k) The complete report and recommendation of the Child Protection Team of the Department of Health or, if no report exists, a statement reflecting that no report has been made.
(l) All opinions or recommendations from other professionals or agencies that provide evaluative, social, reunification, or other services to the parent and child.
(m) A listing of appropriate and available safety management services for the parent and child to prevent the removal of the child from the home or to reunify the child with the parent after removal, and an explanation of the following:
1. If the services were or were not provided.
2. If the services were provided, the outcome of the services.
3. If the services were not provided, why they were not provided.
4. If the services are currently being provided and if they need to be continued.
(n) If the child has been removed from the home and there is a parent who may be considered for custody pursuant to this section, a recommendation as to whether placement of the child with that parent would be detrimental to the child.
(o) If the child has been removed from the home and will be remaining with a relative, parent, or other adult approved by the court, a home study report concerning the proposed placement shall be provided to the court. Before recommending to the court any out-of-home placement for a child other than placement in a licensed shelter or foster home, the department shall conduct a study of the home of the proposed legal custodians, which must include, at a minimum:
1. An interview with the proposed legal custodians to assess their ongoing commitment and ability to care for the child.
2. Records checks through the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), and local and statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Department of Law Enforcement, on all household members 12 years of age or older. In addition, the fingerprints of any household members who are 18 years of age or older may be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for processing and forwarding to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for state and national criminal history information. The department has the discretion to request State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) and local, statewide, and national criminal history checks and fingerprinting of any other visitor to the home who is made known to the department. Out-of-state criminal records checks must be initiated for any individual who has resided in a state other than Florida if that state’s laws allow the release of these records. The out-of-state criminal records must be filed with the court within 5 days after receipt by the department or its agent.
3. An assessment of the physical environment of the home.
4. A determination of the financial security of the proposed legal custodians.
5. A determination of suitable child care arrangements if the proposed legal custodians are employed outside of the home.
6. Documentation of counseling and information provided to the proposed legal custodians regarding the dependency process and possible outcomes.
7. Documentation that information regarding support services available in the community has been provided to the proposed legal custodians.
8. The reasonable preference of the child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a preference.

The department may not place the child or continue the placement of the child in a home under shelter or postdisposition placement if the results of the home study are unfavorable, unless the court finds that this placement is in the child’s best interest.

(p) If the child has been removed from the home, a determination of the amount of child support each parent will be required to pay pursuant to s. 61.30.

Any other relevant and material evidence, including other written or oral reports, may be received by the court in its effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the child and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing. Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this section prohibits the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

(3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows:
(a) If the court determines that the child can safely remain in the home with the parent with whom the child was residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court and that remaining in this home is in the best interest of the child, then the court shall order conditions under which the child may remain or return to the home and that this placement be under the protective supervision of the department for not less than 6 months.
(b) If there is a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court who desires to assume custody of the child, the court shall place the child with that parent upon completion of a home study, unless the court finds that such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. Any party with knowledge of the facts may present to the court evidence regarding whether the placement will endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. If the court places the child with such parent, it may do either of the following:
1. Order that the parent assume sole custodial responsibilities for the child. The court may also provide for reasonable visitation by the noncustodial parent. The court may then terminate its jurisdiction over the child.
2. Order that the parent assume custody subject to the jurisdiction of the circuit court hearing dependency matters. The court may order that reunification services be provided to the parent from whom the child has been removed, that services be provided solely to the parent who is assuming physical custody in order to allow that parent to retain later custody without court jurisdiction, or that services be provided to both parents, in which case the court shall determine at every review hearing which parent, if either, shall have custody of the child. The standard for changing custody of the child from one parent to another or to a relative or another adult approved by the court shall be the best interest of the child.
(c) If no fit parent is willing or available to assume care and custody of the child, place the child in the temporary legal custody of an adult relative, the adoptive parent of the child’s sibling, or another adult approved by the court who is willing to care for the child, under the protective supervision of the department. The department must supervise this placement until the child reaches permanency status in this home, and in no case for a period of less than 6 months. Permanency in a relative placement shall be by adoption, long-term custody, or guardianship.
(d) If the child cannot be safely placed in a nonlicensed placement, the court shall commit the child to the temporary legal custody of the department. Such commitment invests in the department all rights and responsibilities of a legal custodian. The department shall not return any child to the physical care and custody of the person from whom the child was removed, except for court-approved visitation periods, without the approval of the court. Any order for visitation or other contact must conform to the provisions of s. 39.0139. The term of such commitment continues until terminated by the court or until the child reaches the age of 18. After the child is committed to the temporary legal custody of the department, all further proceedings under this section are governed by this chapter.

Protective supervision continues until the court terminates it or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever date is first. Protective supervision shall be terminated by the court whenever the court determines that permanency has been achieved for the child, whether with a parent, another relative, or a legal custodian, and that protective supervision is no longer needed. The termination of supervision may be with or without retaining jurisdiction, at the court’s discretion, and shall in either case be considered a permanency option for the child. The order terminating supervision by the department shall set forth the powers of the custodian of the child and shall include the powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a minor unless otherwise specified. Upon the court’s termination of supervision by the department, no further judicial reviews are required, so long as permanency has been established for the child.

(4) An agency granted legal custody shall have the right to determine where and with whom the child shall live, but an individual granted legal custody shall exercise all rights and duties personally unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(5) In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the court may order the parents and legal custodians of a child who is found to be dependent to participate in family counseling and other professional counseling activities deemed necessary for the rehabilitation of the parent or child.
(6) With respect to a child who is the subject in proceedings under this chapter, the court may issue to the department an order to show cause why it should not return the child to the custody of the parents upon the presentation of evidence that the conditions for return of the child have been met.
(7) The court may enter an order ending its jurisdiction over a child when a child has been returned to the parents, provided the court shall not terminate its jurisdiction or the department’s supervision over the child until 6 months after the child’s return. The department shall supervise the placement of the child after reunification for at least 6 months with each parent or legal custodian from whom the child was removed. The court shall determine whether its jurisdiction should be continued or terminated in such a case based on a report of the department or agency or the child’s guardian ad litem, and any other relevant factors; if its jurisdiction is to be terminated, the court shall enter an order to that effect.
History.s. 20, ch. 78-414; s. 14, ch. 79-164; s. 2, ch. 80-102; s. 15, ch. 80-290; s. 11, ch. 83-217; ss. 9, 10, ch. 84-311; s. 6, ch. 85-80; s. 83, ch. 86-220; s. 8, ch. 87-289; s. 13, ch. 87-397; s. 30, ch. 88-337; s. 1, ch. 90-182; s. 2, ch. 90-211; ss. 7, 8, ch. 90-306; s. 71, ch. 91-45; s. 2, ch. 91-183; s. 5, ch. 92-158; s. 7, ch. 92-170; ss. 12, 13, ch. 94-164; s. 62, ch. 95-228; s. 4, ch. 97-96; s. 8, ch. 97-101; s. 9, ch. 97-276; s. 6, ch. 98-137; s. 11, ch. 98-280; s. 69, ch. 98-403; s. 31, ch. 99-193; s. 23, ch. 2000-139; s. 3, ch. 2001-68; s. 1, ch. 2002-219; s. 5, ch. 2005-239; s. 13, ch. 2006-86; s. 5, ch. 2006-97; s. 5, ch. 2007-109; s. 13, ch. 2008-245; s. 10, ch. 2012-178; s. 3, ch. 2016-127; s. 84, ch. 2016-241; s. 12, ch. 2017-151; s. 4, ch. 2018-103; s. 4, ch. 2018-108; s. 24, ch. 2019-3; s. 5, ch. 2019-128; s. 6, ch. 2021-51; s. 6, ch. 2023-302; s. 51, ch. 2024-70.
Note.Former ss. 39.408(3), (4), 39.41; s. 39.508.

F.S. 39.521 on Google Scholar

F.S. 39.521 on CourtListener

Amendments to 39.521


Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases Citing Statute 39.521

Total Results: 97

Foster Children v. Jeb Bush, Kathleen Kearney, Chuck Bates, Robert Williams, Ester Tibbs

329 F.3d 1255, 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 8745, 2003 WL 21027240

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit | Filed: May 8, 2003 | Docket: 397653

Cited 289 times | Published

...an adjudicatory hearing as soon as practicable. Fla. Stat. § 39.507. If the facts alleged in the dependency petition are proven in the adjudicatory hearing and the child is determined to be dependent, the state court conducts a disposition hearing. Id. §§ 39.507(7); 39.521(1). The Department must prepare a written case plan and a predisposition study and file these items with the court no later than 72 hours before the disposition hearing. Id. § 39.521(1)(a). The case plan is a document that “follows the child from the provision of voluntary services through any dependency, foster care, or termination of parental rights proceeding or related activity or process.” Id....

HP v. Department of Children and Families

838 So. 2d 583, 2003 WL 69505

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 10, 2003 | Docket: 1513745

Cited 16 times | Published

...(2001) rendered it unconstitutional to the extent that it precludes or delays placement of children in the custody of a nonoffending parent when no detriment to the children is shown. 4. Discretion to terminate jurisdiction would not be exercised pursuant to Florida Statute 39.521(3)(b)1 because of a 1994 Massachusetts decree that awarded custody to the father. [1] The mother cross-appeals the trial court's reservation of jurisdiction. Home Study Section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2001), provides that if a parent with whom a child was not residing at the time the events arose leading to the court's jurisdiction wishes to assume custody, the court shall place the child with the parent after a home study. Section 39.521(2)(r) places the burden on DCF to conduct the study and specifies the minimum requirement of the home study's contents....
...est interest of the children to remain with the *587 mother pending investigation by the Massachusetts Compact Administrator and that state's approval or disapproval of the placement. ORDER VACATED; REMANDED. PLEUS and PALMER, JJ., concur. NOTES [1] Section 39.521(3)(b)1, Florida Statutes (2001), authorizes the court to terminate jurisdiction after entering an order awarding custody and reasonable visitation, if appropriate....

BC v. Department of Children and Families

864 So. 2d 486, 2004 WL 19508

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jan 2, 2004 | Docket: 1425726

Cited 14 times | Published

...This court determined that the trial court had the authority to order the father to submit to a psychological evaluation as an element of the case plan after the child was adjudicated dependent as to the mother and removed from her custody, even though child was not adjudicated dependent as to the father. Lastly, section 39.521, Florida Statutes (2003), provides the procedure to be followed for placement of a dependent child: (3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as foll...
...Order that the parent assume sole custodial responsibilities for the child. 2. Order that the parent assume custody subject to the jurisdiction of the circuit court hearing dependency matters. (Emphasis added). When read together, sections 39.01(14)(a) and 39.521, Florida Statutes (2003), provide a comprehensive framework supporting the Department's position for finding children dependent as to one parent only....
...Nevertheless, if there is a fit and able non-offending parent willing to take custody, "the court shall place the child with that parent upon completion of a home study, unless the court finds that such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child." See § 39.521, Fla....
...should be given the opportunity to challenge the constitutionality of the statute, as it applies to him. Under the current statutory scheme, if an adjudication of dependency were entered, B.C., as a non-offending parent, would be entitled to custody of the children unless the placement was shown to endanger the children. See § 39.521, Fla....
...B.C.'s constitutional arguments are, at this point, premature. On remand, B.C. is free to question the constitutionality of the of the statute, as applied to him. As a nonoffending parent, B.C. would be entitled to placement at disposition unless the placement was shown to endanger the children. See § 39.521, Fla....
...The petition need not contain allegations of acts or omissions by both parents. (Emphasis added). [3] Section 39.41 was renumbered as section 39.508 and amended chapter 98-403, section 69, Laws of Florida 1998, effective Oct. 1, 1998. Section 39.508 was renumbered as section 39.521 and amended by chapter 2000-139, section 23, effective July 1, 2000....

Bde v. Dept. of Children and Family Ser.

829 So. 2d 359, 2002 WL 31431796

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 1, 2002 | Docket: 1454225

Cited 7 times | Published

...filed a pro se motion seeking to regain custody of *361 F.E., asserting that she had substantially complied with the terms of the case plan approved by the trial court on January 11, 1995. Without ruling on the motion, the trial court ordered dependency mediation. See § 39.521(1)(b)2., Fla....

JP v. Department of Children and Families

855 So. 2d 175, 2003 WL 22055879

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 5, 2003 | Docket: 1505483

Cited 6 times | Published

...examinations in dependency matters upon a showing that the parent's mental condition is in controversy and good cause exists to require an examination. Accord S.N. v. State Dep't of Health & Rehabilitative Servs., 529 So.2d 1156 (Fla. 1st DCA 1988). Section 39.521 of the Florida Statutes (2001) also provides such authority, stating in relevant part: 39.521....

In Re JH

979 So. 2d 363, 2008 WL 1734531

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 16, 2008 | Docket: 1714507

Cited 6 times | Published

...Indeed, the appendix filed in this court reflects a total absence of factual support for the court's order. When a child has been adjudicated dependent, the circuit court is authorized to order a nonoffending parent "to participate in treatment and services identified as necessary." § 39.521(1)(b)(1), Fla....

KE v. Department of Children and Families

958 So. 2d 968, 2007 WL 1450735

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 14, 2007 | Docket: 1414194

Cited 5 times | Published

...riginal date for completion of her case plan. It is apparent that the trial court was attempting to follow the dictates of chapter 39; however, the operation of its various provisions in a case where there is a non-offending parent is quite unclear. Section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2006), provides: Section 39.521, Disposition hearings; powers of disposition.— (3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows: ....
...er, shall have custody of the child. The standard for changing custody of the child from one parent to another or to a relative or another adult approved by the court shall be the best interest of the child. *971 (Emphasis added). Thus, according to section 39.521(3)(b), once the trial court decides to place the dependent child with a non-offending parent, it may do one of two things: it may order the non-offending parent to assume sole custodial responsibility and terminate its jurisdiction ove...
...See R.H., 948 So.2d at 900 ("Alternatively, the court may consider a motion to amend the case plan so as to change the case plan goal from reunification of the children with the mother, to placement of one or both of the children with their respective fathers."). The relationship between sections 39.522(2) and 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes, was recently clarified by this court in R.H....
...tive. (emphasis added). [4] A favorable home study on the paternal grandparents' home had been completed in Puerto Rico. [5] This Court followed D.S. in D.G. where "the lower court changed custody of the minor child to the child's father pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2005)." D.G., 903 So.2d at 1042....

Dcfs v. Jc

847 So. 2d 487

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 23, 2002 | Docket: 1290191

Cited 4 times | Published

...relate its entire procedural history. On July 6, 2000, J.C. was adjudicated dependent and placed in the legal custody of the Department. This adjudication granted the Department "the right to determine *493 where and with whom the child shall live." § 39.521(4), Fla....

RM v. Department of Children and Families

19 So. 3d 1029, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 13780, 2009 WL 2970412

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 15, 2009 | Docket: 1161757

Cited 4 times | Published

...t order by appeal pursuant to Florida Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.130(a)(4). Without wading into the debate about what is or is not a final order in a dependency case, it seems clear that the order of disposition in this case, rendered pursuant to section 39.521, Florida Statutes, is a final order, notwithstanding the court's continuing jurisdiction to act on behalf of the child....

Guardian Ad Litem Program v. RA

995 So. 2d 1083, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 19287, 2008 WL 4952580

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 21, 2008 | Docket: 1684356

Cited 4 times | Published

...The father produced no evidence that could support a finding that it would be in J.A.'s best interest to be removed from her current home and placed with her grandmother. The standard for ordering a change in the placement of a dependent child is the child's best interest. See § 39.522(1), Fla. Stat. (2008). In addition, section 39.521(1)(d)8.b., Florida Statutes, expressly provides that when "no suitable relative is found and the child is placed with the department or a legal custodian" in the first instance, "neither the department nor the court is obligated to" la...

In Re KM

978 So. 2d 211, 2008 WL 783291

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 26, 2008 | Docket: 1508774

Cited 4 times | Published

...Wendie Michelle Cooper, Orlando, for Appellee, Guardian ad Litem Program. No appearance for Appellee, Department of Children and Families. FULMER, Judge. Appellant D.M., the maternal grandmother of the minor child K.M., appeals from an order placing K.M. with her father, Appellee T.W. ("the Father"), pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2006)....
...Shortly thereafter, however, contact was made with the Father, who requested custody of K.M. Custody was denied. The Father appealed, and this court reversed, ordering the trial court to reconsider the matter in accordance with the requirements of section 39.521(3)(b)....
...ers under article II, section 3 of the Florida Constitution because a rule of procedure cannot enact substantive law"). We are therefore compelled to dismiss the grandmother's appeal. Dismissed. NORTHCUTT, C.J., and ALTENBERND, J., Concur. NOTES [1] Section 39.521(3) reads as follows, in pertinent part: (3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows: (a) ....
...[2] Additional background details may be found in this opinion. [3] Based on our review of the record, it would appear that the grandmother was K.M.'s "legal custodian" in the sense that she was granted "temporary legal custody" of K.M. pursuant to the dependency disposition option listed in section 39.521(3)(c), which reads, in pertinent part: If no fit parent is willing or available to assume care and custody of the child, [the court may] place the child in the temporary legal custody of an adult relative or other adult approved by the...
...We note that, although both "legal custody" and "temporary legal custody" are defined in the statute, see § 39.01(34), (73), there appears to be no provision in chapter 39 that delineates the circumstances under which "legal custody" is actually granted. Only "temporary legal custody" is granted. See, e.g., § 39.521(3)(c), (d)....

Cleveland v. FLORIDA DCF

868 So. 2d 1227

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 22, 2004 | Docket: 451878

Cited 4 times | Published

...g them to become ineligible for the RC benefit program, represents, in our judgment, a fundamental misunderstanding of the placement process under chapter 39, which contemplates the eventual termination of jurisdiction at the court's discretion. See § 39.521(1)(b)(3), Fla....
...98-78, § 1, at 554-55, Laws of Fla., enacting section 39.5085, Florida Statutes. [4] For example, section 39.5085(2)(a)(2) provides that placement with a relative may be either court-ordered temporary legal custody to the relative under protective supervision of the department pursuant to s. 39.521(1)(b)3., or court-ordered placement in the home of a relative as a permanency option pursuant to s....

DG v. Department of Children and Families

903 So. 2d 1042, 2005 WL 1412091

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 17, 2005 | Docket: 373371

Cited 4 times | Published

...June 17, 2005. Ryan Thomas Truskoski of Ryan Thomas Truskoski, P.A., Orlando, for Appellant. Charles D. Peters, Orlando, for Appellee. PER CURIAM. In this dependency case, the lower court changed custody of the minor child to the child's father pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2005)....

In Re Mv-B.

19 So. 3d 381, 2009 WL 1606545

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 10, 2009 | Docket: 1164706

Cited 4 times | Published

...We follow that holding in this case. We recognize that grandparents have been given certain statutory rights in dependency proceedings. See § 39.509, Fla. Stat. (2007). Likewise, a grandparent can be a proper placement for a child who is the subject of a dependency proceeding. See § 39.521....

FM v. Dept. of Children & Families

807 So. 2d 200, 2002 Fla. App. LEXIS 1795, 2002 WL 237669

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 20, 2002 | Docket: 1505394

Cited 4 times | Published

...red under the plan as they will not result in her reunification with the child. Because the child was placed with her father, the statute makes clear that the court is not required to provide a case plan with a goal of reunification with the mother. Section 39.521(3)(b)2, Florida Statutes (2000), states: (3) When any child is adjudicated by the court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows: ....

In Re KM

946 So. 2d 1214, 2006 WL 3821847

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 29, 2006 | Docket: 1771119

Cited 4 times | Published

...for Writ of Certiorari filed by the Guardian ad Litem (GAL). [2] Second, on the substantive issue raised by the Father in his appellate brief, we reverse for the trial court to reconsider its placement decision in accordance with the requirements of section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2005), which governs placement determinations when there is a nonoffending parent who desires to assume custody of the child....
...The order also provides that the grandmother is "encouraged to initiate" unsupervised visits between the Father and K.M. commencing with several hours, extending to overnights and weekends, and leading to vacationing of K.M. with the Father. Citing section 39.521(3)(b), the Father argues on appeal that the trial court abused its discretion by denying his request for placement of his child, notwithstanding a favorable home study, because no evidence was presented that "such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health" of his child. [5] We agree that the trial court abused its discretion by failing to comply with the requirements of section 39.521(3)(b)....
...Parental rights constitute a "fundamental liberty interest," Padgett v. Dep't of Health & Rehab. Servs., 577 So.2d 565, 571 (Fla.1991), protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 66, 120 S.Ct. 2054, 147 L.Ed.2d 49 (2000) (plurality opinion). Section 39.521(3)(b) effectuates these rights by requiring that: (3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows: ....
...In any event, the trial court was presented with a completed home study on the Father and was, therefore, required to place the child with the Father unless it made findings that "such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child." See 39.521(3)(b)....
...Because the court failed to consider whether placement with the Father would endanger his child and, therefore, failed to set forth the findings required to justify denying the Father's request for custody, we reverse and remand for reconsideration in accordance with the requirements of section 39.521(3)(b)....

D.R. v. J.R.

203 So. 3d 952, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 14623

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 27, 2016 | Docket: 60257477

Cited 3 times | Published

with the father in Massachusetts pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b)l., Florida Statutes (2015).2 *954At the

Department of Children and Families v. TL

854 So. 2d 819, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 13982, 2003 WL 22136255

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 17, 2003 | Docket: 1459985

Cited 3 times | Published

...The standard for changing custody of the child shall be the best interest of the child. If the child is not placed in foster care, then the new placement for the child must meet the home study criteria and court approval pursuant to this chapter. (emphasis added). Section 39.521(2)(r) provides the home study criteria required by the chapter: (r) If the child has been removed from the home and will be remaining with a relative or other adult approved by the court, a home study report concerning the proposed placement shall be included in the predisposition report....
...elter or foster home. See § 39.522; Dep't of Children & Families v. R.G., 821 So.2d 477 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002)(finding that trial court erred in changing legal and physical custody of the child without a home study). Based on the following language in section 39.521(2)(r), T.L....
...The statute does not give the trial court the authority to place the child in a home without conducting any home study at all. Indeed, in virtually all instances, a home study would be necessary to enable the trial judge to make a well-informed best interest determination under section 39.521(2)(r)....

PS v. Department of Children and Families

4 So. 3d 719, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 3516, 2009 WL 482280

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 24, 2009 | Docket: 1666287

Cited 3 times | Published

...dress this issue based on the plain language of section 39.507(7)(b). The evidentiary hearing held by the trial court did serve the purpose of enabling the trial court to determine if it was appropriate to require the father to complete a case plan. Section 39.521(1)(b)(1) specifically provides that when a child is adjudicated dependent, the court has the power to require a parent (or legal custodian) to participate in treatment and services identified as necessary....
...(2008). [4] Should the father seek to have the children placed with him, the trial court would have to determine, inter alia, whether the placement would "endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child." See §§ 39.521(3)(b), 39.522, Fla....

Lw v. Fla. Dept. of Children and Family Services

829 So. 2d 938

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 2002 | Docket: 1733455

Cited 2 times | Published

...in this case an easy prospect. That is not the case, however, as the adjudication of dependency will loom over these parents' lives for the remainder of the child's minority, or until the court elects to terminate protective supervision. Fla. Stat. § 39.521(1)(b)(3) (2001)....

GM v. Department of Children and Families

969 So. 2d 569, 2007 Fla. App. LEXIS 18793, 2007 WL 4208556

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 30, 2007 | Docket: 1725898

Cited 2 times | Published

...granted B.M.'s maternal grandmother long-term relative custody, and allowed Appellant to continue with his unsupervised visitation. We write to address Appellant's argument that the court abused its discretion by denying placement with him. Analysis Section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2005), provides in pertinent part: If there is a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court who desires to...

DS v. Department of Children and Families

832 So. 2d 838, 2002 WL 31525285

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 15, 2002 | Docket: 1335592

Cited 2 times | Published

...y is a mixed question of law and fact and will be sustained on review if the court applied the correct law and its ruling is supported by competent substantial evidence in the record"). The court properly placed the younger children with the father. Section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes, requires placement with a non-offending parent in the absence of a showing that the child would be endangered thereby: If there is a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditi...

RF v. Department of Children and Families

844 So. 2d 821, 2003 WL 21105428

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 16, 2003 | Docket: 1662235

Cited 2 times | Published

...("father") appeals the trial court's order denying his motion for reunification with his children, R.F. and C.F. We affirm. On appeal, the father contends that the trial court should have ordered reunification because he had substantially complied with the case plan, and the home study was positive. Although section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes, requires the trial court to place the children with the parent upon completion of a home study, this section and sections 39.522(2) and 39.701(8)(b), Florida Statutes, provide that the return to the parent is a...

CK v. Department of Children and Families

949 So. 2d 336, 2007 Fla. App. LEXIS 2729, 2007 WL 601161

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 28, 2007 | Docket: 1374996

Cited 2 times | Published

...As to the additional requirements announced by the trial court at the fitness hearing, we hold that the court erred by entering those obligations. The trial court does have the authority to require a non-offending parent to participate in treatment and services. See § 39.521(1)(b), Fla....

Lf v. Dept. of Children & Family Services

837 So. 2d 1098, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 1840

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 19, 2003 | Docket: 1527564

Cited 2 times | Published

...Under the dependency statutes the court has many options for placement of a dependent child. It can require placement under the protective supervision of the Department in the home of one or both of the parents, with a relative, with another *1102 adult approved by the court, or in the custody of the Department. See § 39.521(1)(b)3, Fla. Stat. (2002). In this case, the court chose to place the child with "a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdiction of the court." § 39.521(3)(b)....
...every review hearing which parent, if either, shall have custody of the child. The standard for changing custody of the child from one parent to another or to a relative or another adult approved by the court shall be the best interest of the child. § 39.521(b)(1)-(2)....
...The statute further provides for protective supervision by the Department to continue until the court terminates it, and such supervision "shall be terminated by the court whenever the court determines that permanency has been achieved for the child." § 39.521(3)....
...Under the dependency statutes, a stepfather is neither a "parent" nor a "relative." See § 39.01(49), (60), Fla. Stat. (2002). Therefore, the foregoing statutory options were unavailable to determine custody for N.R. Instead, N.R.'s placement with the father was an "out of home" placement. Section 39.521(3)(c) allows the court to do the following: If no fit parent is willing or available to assume care and custody of the child, place the child in the temporary legal custody of an adult relative or other adult approved by the court who...

RC v. Department of Children and Families

917 So. 2d 241, 2005 WL 3330326

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 9, 2005 | Docket: 1509450

Cited 2 times | Published

...Obviously, this will not qualify for the medical diagnosis exception to the hearsay rule. See State v. Frazier, 753 So.2d 644, 646 (Fla. 5th DCA 2000); State v. Ochoa, 576 So.2d 854 (Fla. 3d DCA 1991). DCF urges on appeal that the hearsay was admissible. Section 39.521, Florida Statutes, dealing with disposition in dependency cases identifies many different kinds of evidence available, including the catch-all: "any other relevant and material evidence, including other written or oral reports, may be...

JH v. Department of Children and Families

890 So. 2d 476, 2004 WL 3015096

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 30, 2004 | Docket: 2575150

Cited 2 times | Published

...ent hearing as a disposition hearing. DCF acknowledges that while the mother had filed a written consent to the petition for dependency, she was still entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard as to the dispositional aspect of the cause. See § 39.521(1), Fla....
...3d DCA 1998) (reversing dependency disposition order due to lack of notice of hearing). DCF additionally observes that the trial court failed to follow Chapter 39, Florida Statutes, when it granted permanent custody of the child to the father without (1) preparation of a predisposition report or written case plan, section 39.521(1)(a), Florida Statutes, and (2) a home study by the department, section 39.521(2)(r), Florida Statutes....

A.L. v. Department of Children & Families

53 So. 3d 324, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 19758, 2010 WL 5184730

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 21, 2010 | Docket: 60298074

Cited 2 times | Published

could terminate supervision in accordance with section 39.521(3)(d), Florida Statutes (2009) (“Protective

A.S. v. Department of Children & Family Services

113 So. 3d 77, 2013 WL 1776697

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 26, 2013 | Docket: 60231608

Cited 2 times | Published

559 (Fla. 2d DCA 2012). We recognize that section 39.521(3)(b)(l), Florida Statutes (2011), gives a

LP v. Department of Children and Families

871 So. 2d 306, 2004 WL 832794

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 20, 2004 | Docket: 1300442

Cited 2 times | Published

...late hours. For these reasons, the trial court denied Appellant's motion for custody, concluding placing the child with Appellant would compromise the child's safety and mental, physical, and emotional well-being. In so doing, the trial court erred. Section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2002), provides that, following an adjudication of dependency, (b) If there is a parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the events or conditions arose that brought the child within the jurisdic...

BW v. Department of Children and Family Services

842 So. 2d 1000, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 5424, 2003 WL 1877590

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 16, 2003 | Docket: 213214

Cited 2 times | Published

...in the father's custody and the order terminating the Department's jurisdiction over W.A.W. Termination and disposition were premature because the court placed the child with the father without requiring the Department to complete and file a home study on the father as dictated by section 39.521(3)(b)(1), Florida Statutes (2001)....

Department of Children and Families v. TT

42 So. 3d 962, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 12919, 2010 WL 3446912

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 1, 2010 | Docket: 1647340

Cited 1 times | Published

...Additionally, we are concerned that the father's interest in reunification was given short shrift. Upon remand, we direct that the trial court also consider the father's pending request, if he still seeks reunification, through ICPC proceedings with the State of Ohio. In accord with the requirements of section 39.521(7), Florida Statutes (2009), when the trial court reunites the children with either parent, it shall not terminate its jurisdiction or DCF's supervision over them until six months after their return....

N.T. v. Department of Children & Family Services

8 So. 3d 1287, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 6937

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 29, 2009 | Docket: 60305459

Cited 1 times | Published

determine placement. The Mother maintains that section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2008), specifically

N.A., THE MOTHER v. DEPT. OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES

267 So. 3d 430

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 20, 2019 | Docket: 14752826

Cited 1 times | Published

one another. Those options are provided in section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2018), which states

MM v. Department of Children and Families

29 So. 3d 1200, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 3620, 2010 WL 979589

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 16, 2010 | Docket: 2573274

Cited 1 times | Published

...Frederick, Orlando, for Appellant. Ryan Thomas Truskoski, of Ryan Thomas Truskoski, P.A., Orlando, for Appellee. LAWSON, J. M.M., the mother of B.D. and S.D., appeals a final order awarding permanent custody of her two middle children to their *1201 non-offending father under section 39.521(3), Florida Statutes, and terminating jurisdiction over her dependency case....

A.G., the Father v. Department of Children and Families and Guardian Ad Litem Program

193 So. 3d 1097, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 9599

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 22, 2016 | Docket: 3081253

Cited 1 times | Published

participate in treatment and services under a case plan. § 39.521(1)(b), Fla. Stat. (2016); C.K. v. Dep’t

C.V. v. Department of Children & Family Services

19 So. 3d 381, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 7256

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 10, 2009 | Docket: 60254606

Cited 1 times | Published

is the subject of a dependency proceeding. See § 39.521. We do not rule out the possibility that a grandparent

RM v. Department of Children and Families

877 So. 2d 797, 2004 WL 1486038

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 2, 2004 | Docket: 1684485

Cited 1 times | Published

...The cause is remanded for a noticed hearing on the issue of the amount of temporary child support. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; REMANDED. MONACO and TORPY, JJ., concur. NOTES [1] It is unclear why a second case number was assigned to these two orders. [2] Section 39.521(1)(d)(7), Florida Statutes, governing disposition hearings provides that if a child is placed in an out-of-home placement following a finding of dependency, child support may be assessed against the parents in the disposition order....

M.G. v. Department of Children & Families

161 So. 3d 481, 2014 Fla. App. LEXIS 10384, 2014 WL 2949445

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 1, 2014 | Docket: 60247172

Cited 1 times | Published

required by section 89.521, Florida Statutes. See § 39.521(1), Fla. Stat. (“A disposition hearing shall be

J.Z. v. Department of Children & Family Services

106 So. 3d 976

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 8, 2013 | Docket: 60228516

Cited 1 times | Published

action. Furthermore, section 39.408(3) [now section 39.521(1) ] requires the court to review the order

PM v. Dept. of Children and Families

865 So. 2d 8, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 19245, 2003 WL 22970867

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 19, 2003 | Docket: 1231691

Cited 1 times | Published

...bstantial risk of imminent abuse if left in the unsupervised care of P.M. However, even if the child has not been found dependant as to P.M., a "non-offending" parent is not automatically entitled to the immediate unconditional custody of the child. Section 39.521(3)(b) requires the court to place a child adjudicated to be dependent as to one parent with the child's remaining non-residential parent if that parent so requests "upon completion of a home study unless the court finds that placement would endanger the child." [1] M.M....
...We disagreed, noting that section 39.407(14) specifically authorizes trial courts to order mental health examinations in dependency matters upon a showing that the parent's mental condition is in controversy and good cause exists to require an examination. [2] We also relied on section 39.521(1)(b)1....
...1st DCA 1986) (circuit court has inherent and continuing jurisdiction to entertain matters pertaining to child custody and enter any order appropriate to a child's welfare). *17 Accordingly, we affirm the portion of the order placing the child in the custody of the Department based on section 39.521(3)(b) as apparently no home study as to P.M....
...n its entirety. If the child was not found dependent as to P.M., the requirements that P.M. undergo a psychosexual evaluation and attend parenting classes and domestic violence counseling are nevertheless affirmed pursuant to sections 39.407(14) and 39.521(1)(b)1....
...y as to P.M. must be stricken. In that event, the Department is urged to consider refiling a dependency petition as to P.M. AFFIRMED in part; REMANDED for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. PETERSON and GRIFFIN, JJ., concur. NOTES [1] § 39.521....
...on, including the blood group, of a parent, caregiver, legal custodian, or other person requesting custody of a child is in controversy, the court may order the person to submit to a physical or mental examination by a qualified professional.... [3] § 39.521....

SL v. Department of Children and Families

852 So. 2d 372, 2003 WL 21946441

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 15, 2003 | Docket: 1305833

Cited 1 times | Published

...Additionally, the trial court has many options for placing a dependent child, and placement can include the protective supervision of the department in the home of one or both of the parents or with a relative. L.F. v. Department of Children and Family Services, 837 So.2d 1098, 1101-1102 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003); § 39.521(1)(b)3, Fla....

CD v. Department of Children and Families

32 So. 3d 749, 2010 WL 1634286

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 21, 2010 | Docket: 376330

Cited 1 times | Published

...5D09-2867. District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fifth District. April 21, 2010. Carol Ann Volini, Ocala, for Appellant. Kelly A. Swartz, Rockledge, for Appellee. Hillary S. Kambour, Tavares, for Appellee Guardian Ad Litem Program. *750 PER CURIAM. AFFIRMED. § 39.521, Fla....

Department of Children & Family Services v. In the Interest of J.C.

847 So. 2d 487, 2002 Fla. App. LEXIS 13830, 2002 WL 31101341

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 23, 2002 | Docket: 64823333

Published

de*493termine where and with whom the child shall live.” § 39.521(4), Fla. Stat. (2000). It was pursuant to this

TS v. Department of Children and Families

992 So. 2d 299, 2008 WL 4361238

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 22, 2008 | Docket: 1389078

Published

...We treat the appeal as a petition for certiorari and grant relief because the trial court departed from the essential requirements of law by applying the best interest of the child standard under section 39.522(1), Florida Statutes (2007), instead of the standard set forth in section 39.521(3)(b) with regard to a non-offending parent who requests custody....
...few months. The Department then sought a change of custody to the father with protective services supervision. The mother opposed the motion. *300 After a hearing, the trial court entered an order rejecting the standard urged by the Department under section 39.521(3)(b), and instead employed the best interest standard under section 39.522(1). Finding that some concerns expressed in the second home study were quite substantial and very troubling, the court concluded that a change in custody would not be in the child's best interest. Section 39.521(3)(b) requires the court to place a child who is adjudicated to be dependent, as to one parent, with the non-residential parent upon request unless the court "finds that such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child." M.M....

S.F. v. Department of Children & Families

825 So. 2d 521, 2002 Fla. App. LEXIS 13215, 2002 WL 31039382

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Sep 13, 2002 | Docket: 64817340

Published

the custody of the child’s father pursuant,to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2000). Although we

Department of Children and Families v. KD

45 So. 3d 46, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 15135, 2010 WL 3418911

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 6, 2010 | Docket: 2401257

Published

...tatutes together, it is clear that "foster care" and "licensed foster care" are synonymous, because any person or family providing foster care must be licensed. A similar distinction between licensed foster care and non-relative placement is made in section 39.521, Florida Statutes (2009), which deals with the court's powers of disposition.

G.S.H. v. K.H.

884 So. 2d 467, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 14642, 2004 WL 2245793

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 6, 2004 | Docket: 64833560

Published

modify placement of his child, M.H., pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2003). He argues that

State, Department of Children & Families v. Guardian Ad Litem of C.R.

855 So. 2d 688, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 14914, 2003 WL 22259828

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 3, 2003 | Docket: 64825553

Published

capricious manner.” Id. at 495. DCF also relies upon section 39.521(4), Florida Statutes (2002), which gives it

K.C. v. Department of Children & Families

227 So. 3d 783

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 18, 2017 | Docket: 60278143

Published

relinquishing jurisdiction by erroneously applying section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2015), resulting in

K.C. v. DCF

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 16, 2017 | Docket: 6181270

Published

relinquishing jurisdiction by erroneously applying section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2015), resulting in

L.M. v. Department of Children & Families

19 So. 3d 1153, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 15608, 2009 WL 3316944

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Oct 15, 2009 | Docket: 60254573

Published

custody to the father was made pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b)l., Florida Statutes (2008). Lastly, the

S.V.-R. v. Department of Children & Family Services

77 So. 3d 687, 2011 Fla. App. LEXIS 17776, 2011 WL 5375047

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 9, 2011 | Docket: 60304754

Published

to custody” pending any reunification; under section 39.521(3)(b)2, Florida Statutes (2010), changing custody

Y.G. v. Department of Children & Families

830 So. 2d 212, 2002 Fla. App. LEXIS 16142, 2002 WL 31487160

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 8, 2002 | Docket: 64818949

Published

a written determination in accordance with section 39.521(l)(f), Florida Statutes (2001). Such a disposition

D.P. v. Department of Children & Families

889 So. 2d 867, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 21256, 2004 WL 3090326

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 30, 2004 | Docket: 64835145

Published

PER CURIAM. AFFIRMED. See section 39.521(3), Florida Statutes (2003) and H.P. v. Department of Children

E.B. ex rel. A.B. v. Department of Children & Families

969 So. 2d 505, 2007 Fla. App. LEXIS 18444, 2007 WL 4105523

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 20, 2007 | Docket: 64853144

Published

of his children, A.B. and J.B., pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2006). He argues that

Dep't of Children & Families v. J.F.

255 So. 3d 536

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 2, 2018 | Docket: 64689275

Published

the trial court ignored the provisions of section 39.521(7), Florida Statutes (2018), which require

C.S. v. Department of Children & Families

204 So. 3d 121

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Nov 16, 2016 | Docket: 4539031

Published

required to conduct a disposition hearing under section 39.521, Florida Statutes (2015), before closing the

S.B. v. Department of Children & Families

845 So. 2d 1021, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 7992, 2003 WL 21239103

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 30, 2003 | Docket: 64822955

Published

findings with respect to M.P. in accordance with section 39.521(l)(f), Florida Statutes (2001). AFFIRMED and

In Re KH

8 So. 3d 1287, 2009 WL 1491719

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 29, 2009 | Docket: 1159942

Published

...an order granting permanent placement of the child with the maternal grandparents. On appeal, the Mother argues, among other things, that the trial court erred by applying the best interest standard to determine placement. The Mother maintains that section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2008), specifically requires that the child be placed with the nonoffending parent "unless the court finds that such placement would endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of...
...Because the child here has never been adjudicated dependent as to the Mother, we agree and reverse and remand for the trial court to hold a hearing to determine whether placement with the Mother would endanger the health, safety, or well-being of the child. See § 39.521(3)(b)....
...e permanent placement of the child in light of the dependency determination as to the child's father or whether the court's previous dismissal of the last petition for dependency, filed only as to the Mother, would preclude such a determination. See § 39.521(1) ("A disposition hearing shall be conducted by the court, if the court finds that the facts alleged in the petition for dependency were proven in the adjudicatory hearing....")....

In re Amendments to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure

115 So. 3d 286, 38 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 337, 2013 Fla. LEXIS 1944, 2013 WL 2248756

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: May 23, 2013 | Docket: 60232163

Published

requirements for disposition orders, as set forth in section 39.521(l)(d), Florida Statutes (2012). Subdivision

V.A. v. Department of Children & Families & Guardian Ad Litem Program

114 So. 3d 391, 2013 WL 2217492, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 8139

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 22, 2013 | Docket: 60231881

Published

the findings required for disposition under section 39.521, Florida Statutes (2012). Reversed and Remanded

S.T. v. Department of Children & Family Services

87 So. 3d 827, 2012 WL 1698760

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 16, 2012 | Docket: 60308060

Published

authority to require her to take certain actions. See § 39.521(l)(b)(l), Fla. Stat. (2010). If, in her capacity

Florida Department of Children & Families v. S.D.

983 So. 2d 655, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 6963, 2008 WL 2066612

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 16, 2008 | Docket: 64854965

Published

placement to be in the child’s best interest. See § 39.521(2)(r), Fla. Stat. (2007). The trial court departed

D.O.B. v. Department of Children & Family Services

928 So. 2d 491, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 7077, 2006 WL 1234983

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: May 10, 2006 | Docket: 64844584

Published

of child support between these two parents. See § 39.521, Fla. Stat. (2004) (requiring disposition order

CB v. Department of Children and Families

975 So. 2d 1158, 2008 WL 611606

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 5, 2008 | Docket: 1423499

Published

...ing new dependency actions. We agree. We start by noting that section 39.507, Florida Statutes, does not give the court "full authority" over a child that is not adjudicated dependent. See § 39.507(5) & (6), Fla. Stat. (2006). In addition, although section 39.521(b)3 provides that the court's "termination of supervision may be with or without retaining jurisdiction," this provision, by the statute's express terms, only applies to children "adjudicated by a court to be dependent." See § 39.521(b), Fla....

J.W. v. Department of Children & Families

84 So. 3d 1157, 2012 WL 1057637, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 5000

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 28, 2012 | Docket: 60306609

Published

custody or is requesting custody of the child. § 39.521(l)(b)l., Fla. Stat. (2011). The evidence in this

D.M. v. Department of Children & Families

978 So. 2d 211, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 4339

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 26, 2008 | Docket: 64854388

Published

Appellee T.W. (“the Father”), pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2006). Because we

In Re: Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.245, 8.250, and Form 8.961

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Mar 23, 2023 | Docket: 67078453

Published

provide greater clarity and compliance with section 39.521, Florida Statutes (2022). Subdivision (b)

Cleveland v. Florida Department of Children & Families District: 07 Seminole Unit 55205

868 So. 2d 1227, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 3534

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 22, 2004 | Docket: 64829064

Published

of jurisdiction at the court’s discretion. See § 39.521(l)(b)(3), Fla. Stat. (2002) (“Protective supervision

R.R., THE MOTHER v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 2, 2022 | Docket: 63127985

Published

may trigger a hearing to amend the case plan); § 39.521, Fla. Stat. (2021) (a hearing concerning the temporary

R.J., a child v. Florida Department of Children and Families

187 So. 3d 362, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 4110, 2016 WL 1039178

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 16, 2016 | Docket: 3044824

Published

child is adjudicated dependent. Specifically, section 39.521 provides that: (b) when any child is adjudicated

JG v. Department of Children and Families

82 So. 3d 1170, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 4217, 2012 WL 874569

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 15, 2012 | Docket: 2416741

Published

...The trial court denied a request to have the urine sample "sent out for confirmation" and did *1173 not afford the mother an opportunity to withdraw her plea. Without further testimony or argument, the court rendered the order that is the subject of this appeal. The mother acknowledges that pursuant to section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2011), a trial court has the authority to enter a disposition order closing the dependency case after awarding sole parental responsibility of the dependent child to a non-offending parent where such placement...

Graham v. State

169 So. 3d 123, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 3400, 2015 WL 1044221

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Mar 11, 2015 | Docket: 2640562

Published

...Pamela’s and Geralyn Graham’s home. On April 21, 2000, Pamela received a custody order for Rilya that awarded Pamela non-relative, temporary custody of Rilya. In effect, Pamela and DCF became co-custodians of Rilya and Rodricka. See §§ 39.01(59), 39.521(1)(b)3., Fla....
...Graham would care for Rilya and Rodricka during the day while Pamela worked. 3 DCF undertook these various actions under the authority granted to DCF in chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes (2000). DCF’s particular responsibilities toward Rilya and Rodricka derive from section 39.521 of the Florida Statutes (2000)....
...leaders, officials, and voters. Florida’s kidnapping statute, first adopted in 1974, is patterned after this Model Penal Code provision, but does not include or incorporate the examples mentioned in the comment. 12 39.521(1)(b)3., Fla....
...overnmental function of protecting 5DCF’s former director of operations in South Florida testified at trial that DCF maintains custody of a dependent child along with the temporary custodian. 6 See §§ 20.19(1)(a), 39.001(1)(b)(1), 39.4085, and 39.521(1)(b)3., Fla....

E.K. v. Department of Children & Family Services

874 So. 2d 720, 2004 Fla. App. LEXIS 8019, 2004 WL 1252690

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 9, 2004 | Docket: 64830953

Published

child was adjudicated dependent. For instance, section 39.521(d)(7) provides that, for a child like S.M.

J. W. v. DEPT. OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES

249 So. 3d 764

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jun 20, 2018 | Docket: 7225314

Published

court failed to comply with the requirements of section 39.521(7), Florida Statutes (2017). We therefore

S v. v. Dept. of Children & Families

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 8, 2015 | Docket: 2674014

Published

...The instant case is distinguishable in two critical ways: (i) in Cerase, we exercised appellate review rather than certiorari review; and, more fundamentally, (ii) the record in Cerase plainly evidenced that 4The trial court reviewed whether the general magistrate’s interpretation of section 39.521(3)(b) of the Florida Statutes was correct....

S.M., the Mother v. Department of Children and Families

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 3, 2024 | Docket: 68913258

Published

Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.340 and section 39.521, Florida Statutes. At the hearing, the Department

Rh v. Dept. of Children and Family Servs.

994 So. 2d 1153, 2008 WL 2811785

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 23, 2008 | Docket: 1667075

Published

...Dep't of Children & Families, 978 So.2d 211, 212 n. 3 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008): Based on our review of the record, it would appear that the grandmother was K.M.'s "legal custodian" in the sense that she was granted "temporary legal custody" of K.M. pursuant to the dependency disposition option listed in section 39.521(3)(c), which reads, in pertinent part: If no fit parent is willing or available to assume care and custody of the child, [the court may] place the child in the temporary legal custody of an adult relative or other adult approved by the...

In the Interest of B.Y.G.m, a Minor

176 So. 3d 290, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 10729, 2015 WL 4268719

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2015 | Docket: 2674010

Published

...Department of Children and Families, as the statute indicates, is an automatic party to all Dependency proceedings.” On appeal to this court, appellate counsel for DCF identified the statute: “The Department’s position was based on the legislative requirement, pursuant to §39.521(b)1(sic), Fla....
...That, of course, is not true. It is not the action of B.Y.G.M. that defines the court’s and DCF’s obligations and continuing responsibility for the well-being of a child declared dependent on the court under Chapter 39 of the Florida Statutes. It is Florida law. Section 39.521(1)(b)(3) of the Florida Statutes requires placement of all children adjudicated dependent by a court “under the protective supervision of an authorized agent of the department ....
...n legal immigration status. It may consider these cases to be too sensitive for its taste.5 However, as the agency of the Florida Statutes details the requirements of that supervision, beginning with judicial reviews at least every six months. See §39.521(c), Fla....

In the Interest of K.B.L v. a Minor

176 So. 3d 297, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 10731

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Jul 15, 2015 | Docket: 2674009

Published

...family member who can provide him with food and shelter. The department takes no position in this appeal. Neither did the department oppose the petition below. The department’s position below was based on the legislative requirement, pursuant to section 39.521(b)1, Florida Statutes (2014), to provide protective supervision over the minor’s placement upon an adjudication of dependency....

Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure 8.135 & 8.510

816 So. 2d 536, 27 Fla. L. Weekly Supp. 51, 2002 Fla. LEXIS 3, 2002 WL 5491

Supreme Court of Florida | Filed: Jan 3, 2002 | Docket: 64815188

Published

(2001), hearing on petition for dependency; section 39.521(l)(a), Florida Statutes (2001), disposition

Bj v. Florida Dept. of Children and Fam.

974 So. 2d 527, 2008 WL 314241

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 6, 2008 | Docket: 2576161

Published

...f placement (the "Modification Order") denying her motion for reunification with her younger daughter, T.W. (the "Younger Daughter"), a minor, and the custody release order granting temporary custody of the Younger Daughter to D.W., a paternal aunt. Section 39.521 of the Florida Statutes, provides in pertinent part: 3) When any child is adjudicated by a court to be dependent, the court shall determine the appropriate placement for the child as follows: ....
...physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. Any party with knowledge of the facts may present to the court evidence regarding whether the placement will endanger the safety, well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. § 39.521, Fla....

Department of Children & Families v. Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Program

186 So. 3d 1084, 2016 Fla. App. LEXIS 2968, 2016 WL 869317

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 29, 2016 | Docket: 60253692

Published

determine where and-with whom the child shall live.”' § 39.521(4), Fla. Stat. (2015). Section 39.812, Florida

M.P. v. Department of Children & Family Services

107 So. 3d 515, 2013 WL 561489, 2013 Fla. App. LEXIS 2381

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Feb 15, 2013 | Docket: 60228698

Published

temporary physical custody of the children. See § 39.521(4), Fla. Stat. (2012) (“An agency granted legal

J.L. v. G.L.

863 So. 2d 428, 2003 Fla. App. LEXIS 19741, 2003 WL 23095276

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 31, 2003 | Docket: 64827483

Published

accordance with the guidelines in s. 61.30.”); § 39.521(l)(d)7, Fla. Stat. (2003) (court’s powers of disposition

In the Interest Of: B.R.C.M.

182 So. 3d 749, 2015 Fla. App. LEXIS 19470

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 30, 2015 | Docket: 3024838

Published

...paramount concern. Moreover, nothing in Chapter 39 obligates the Court to exercise all its authority in all cases. There are indeed circumstances where the Court is permitted to terminate supervision -- and jurisdiction -- immediately upon adjudication. See, e.g., § 39.521(3)(b)1, Fla....

T.W. v. Department of Children & Family Services

946 So. 2d 1214, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 21783

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Dec 29, 2006 | Docket: 64848625

Published

decision in accordance with the requirements of section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes (2005), which governs

Department of Children and Families v. JH

907 So. 2d 1275, 2005 WL 1842674

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 5, 2005 | Docket: 459421

Published

...of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Section 409.401, Florida Statutes (2004) because the receiving state must approve the transfer in advance. See Department of Children and Families v. Benway, 745 So.2d 437 (Fla. 5th DCA 1999); § 39.521(7), Fla....

C.C. v. Department of Children & Families

946 So. 2d 548, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 14617, 2006 WL 2516495

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 31, 2006 | Docket: 64848553

Published

conduct a disposition hearing in accordance with section 39.521(3)(b), Florida Statutes. It was not the intention

PR v. Department of Children and Families

936 So. 2d 754, 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 14038, 2006 WL 2419109

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 23, 2006 | Docket: 2548204

Published

...de reunification with the parents." See § 39.622(1)-(2), Fla. Stat. (2005). Further, pursuant to section 39.601(9)(f), when the trial court amends a case plan, "[a] copy of the amended plan must be immediately given" to the child's parents. Lastly, section 39.521(3)(d) requires that "[t]he order terminating supervision by the department shall set forth the powers of the custodian ....

R.W. v. Department of Children & Families

909 So. 2d 402, 2005 Fla. App. LEXIS 12664, 2005 WL 1943208

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 16, 2005 | Docket: 64840135

Published

available and certain conditions are met. See § 39.521(3)(b), Fla. Stat.; see also L.P., father of J

F.O. v. Department of Children & Families

94 So. 3d 709, 2012 WL 3535841, 2012 Fla. App. LEXIS 13673

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Aug 15, 2012 | Docket: 60310972

Published

855 So.2d 175, 176 (Fla. 5th DCA 2003); see also § 39.521(l)(b), Fla.Stat. (2011). We find no merit to the

R.S. v. Department of Children & Family Services

10 So. 3d 186, 2009 Fla. App. LEXIS 2872, 2009 WL 928495

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 8, 2009 | Docket: 1642203

Published

...consented to an adjudication of dependency and was given a case plan. On December 16, 2004, after complying with the case plan, C.A. was reunified with R.S. On July 22, 2005, M.L. was reunified with R.S. The court retained jurisdiction over the children. See § 39.521(7), Fla....

H.E., The Father v. DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 7, 2021 | Docket: 59800756

Published

despite being given ample opportunity to do so. § 39.521(1)(c)(3), Fla. Stat. (2020). We further find

C.D. v. Department of Children & Families

32 So. 3d 749, 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 5820

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 21, 2010 | Docket: 60289888

Published

PER CURIAM. AFFIRMED. § 39.521, Fla. Stat. (2008). PALMER, TORPY and COHEN, JJ, concur.

E.H. v. Department of Children & Family Services

979 So. 2d 363, 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 5540

District Court of Appeal of Florida | Filed: Apr 16, 2008 | Docket: 64854608

Published

treatment and services identified as necessary.” § 39.521(l)(b)(l), Fla. Stat. (2006). Certainly, any such

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