Story of Justice: Issac

Issac is a homeless man who visited our Family Court Self-Advocacy Program Office seeking help with his child support case. While living at a shelter, he received a letter from Department of Revenue stating that he owed over $40,000 in arrears. Issac wanted to get a Judge to review his Child Support case. The CCLA attorney explained that he needed to file a Petition to Enter a Superseding Order. However, since the case had been initiated in Brevard County, the Broward Clerk’s office initially told Issac that he could not file in Broward County due to jurisdictional reasons. Issac returned to the Self-Advocacy Program Office and explained the obstacle. The CCLA attorney went with Issac back to the Clerk’s Office and advised the Clerk that in Title IV-D cases (cases that focus solely on the support of the child with no other surrounding issues), venue is proper in the county in which the Respondent resides. The Clerk then accepted the filing. The pro se litigant was very appreciative for the guidance.