Jay & Campbell, PLLC

Jay & Campbell, PLLC At Jay & Campbell, PLLC, we guide clients through the adoption process with expertise and compassion

05/27/2026

Occasionally, as you grow more experienced in your legal career, you observe younger or less experienced attorneys using terms in the courtroom that carry far more weight than they realize.

The word "frivolous" is a prime example. 🏛️🛑

In Florida civil and family law, calling an opponent's claim frivolous isn't just persuasive rhetoric—it triggers a very specific procedural track under Florida Statute 57.105:
🔹 The Safe Harbor Notice: You cannot simply file a motion for sanctions with the court out of the gate. You must serve the motion on the other side first.
🔹 The 21-Day Waiting Period: The opposing party has 21 days to cure the issue by withdrawing the offending pleading or motion.
🔹 The Filing Requirement: If they refuse to remedy the claim after those 21 days, then your motion using the word frivolous is ripe to be heard by the judge.

Throwing the word around casually can actually undermine your credibility with the bench. True legal strategy relies on knowing the administrative codes and rules of procedure inside and out. 🛡️💼

05/22/2026

One of the most damaging pieces of misinformation floating around the foster care system is that caregivers have to wait until finalization to hire an adoption attorney.
Let’s set the record straight: You have the legal right to hire an attorney at any time during the life of your case.
We know many foster parents hesitate to reach out to private counsel because they fear retaliation from the state. They worry that if they secure a lawyer, the agency will deem them a “problem” and try to move the child from their home. 🏠💔
Do not let that fear dissuade you from being an advocate. Securing legal representation isn’t causing trouble—it’s ensuring that the child’s stability and your rights are actively protected under the law. 🛡️⚖️
At Jay & Campbell, we know exactly how to navigate the system and stand up to agency pushback. You don’t have to walk this path alone.
🔗 Visit the link in our bio to connect with our team.

05/19/2026

One of the most persistent misunderstandings we see among Florida foster parents is the belief that 9 consecutive months of placement automatically grants them “party status” across the entire child welfare dependency case.
As our partner Sarah Campbell explains in this video, the law is actually much narrower. 📝📉
What the law actually states:
🔹 Reaching the 9-month threshold does not grant blanket party status to the whole dependency case.
🔹 Generally, that status only applies if the Department of Children and Families (DCF) files a motion to move the child from your home to another foster placement or non-relative care.
🔹 If the state is trying to place the child with a newly discovered relative, the 9-month rule does not automatically make you a party to that specific battle.
The way Florida’s statutes are written on this issue can be incredibly unclear, but walking into court assuming you have rights you don’t legally possess is a dangerous position for a foster family. 🏛️🛡️
At Jay & Campbell, we make sure our families know exactly where they stand before the hearing begins.
🔗 Have questions about your legal status? Visit www.flfamilyformation.com

Legal Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique; please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

05/15/2026

One of the most common roadblocks we’re seeing right now is agencies refusing to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) until the Adoption Subsidy Agreement is complete—which they claim can’t happen until after the TPR judgment. 🛑📉

Here is the reality: Florida law does NOT require you to wait until parental rights are terminated to sign these contracts.

While some agencies interpret the administrative code to mean these must be signed simultaneously, they cannot use their own delay in calculating a subsidy as a reason to hold your MOA hostage. 📝✨

What every foster-to-adopt parent needs to know:
✅ You can sign the MOA as soon as the TPR petition is filed.
✅ You can sign a subsidy contract even pre-TPR.
✅ A “new” round of relative searches is not a legal requirement for signing your placement agreement.

At Jay & Campbell, we hold agencies accountable to the actual Florida Administrative Code—not just their internal preferences. 🛡️🏛️

Legal Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique; please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

🔗 Learn more at www.flfamilyformation.com

05/13/2026

Foster parents often hear the same excuse when they ask to sign their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA): “We need to do another round of relative searches first.” 🛑🧐

Here is what the law actually says: Under F.A.C. 65C-16.002, the MOA can be signed with foster parents as soon as the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) petition is filed.

While the agency may need to wait for an Adoption Application Review Committee (AARC) meeting if there is an active, involved relative, they cannot unilaterally delay your placement to look for new relatives who haven’t been identified in the months (or years) prior.

Stability and permanency are critical. If you’ve been the child’s caregiver and there are no active relatives in the field, you have the ability to push back and demand that the process move forward. 🛡️⚖️

At Jay & Campbell, we specialize in cutting through this specific kind of administrative red tape. Don’t let a “paperwork delay” turn into months of unnecessary limbo. 🏠💼

🔗 Visit us at www.flfamilyformation.com to learn more.



Legal Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique; please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

Recent headlines have highlighted a complex family law case here in Florida—one in which our very own managing partner, ...
05/08/2026

Recent headlines have highlighted a complex family law case here in Florida—one in which our very own managing partner, Katie Jay, has been involved as trial and appellate counsel.

While perspectives on surrogacy and family formation vary widely, this case raises important questions that should matter to all Floridians:

• Judicial accountability — ensuring courts operate within established legal boundaries
• Government involvement — the appropriate role of the state in private family matters
• Confidentiality — protecting sensitive family court proceedings
• Consistency in the law — providing clear and predictable legal outcomes

At Jay & Campbell, PLLC, we help families navigate complex legal situations with care, integrity, and respect for the legal process. We believe families deserve clarity, stability, and consistent application of the law.

We are proud of the work our team does to advocate for clients while upholding fairness and accountability in our legal system.

Every family deserves a process they can trust.

05/06/2026

We are seeing a trend across Florida: agencies telling foster parents they “must wait” for an Adoption Review Committee (ARC) meeting before they can sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Here is the legal reality: Under the updated Florida Administrative Code, that is simply not true. 🛑

You have a right to request and sign that MOA the moment a TPR petition is live. 📝 The MOA is the critical document that protects your placement and identifies you as the chosen family.

If you’re facing pushback:
1️⃣ Cite the Code: Refer to the October 2025 update to 65C-16.002.
2️⃣ Paper Trail: Get their refusal and reasoning in writing.
3️⃣ Call an Expert: If the red tape isn’t budging, it’s time for legal intervention. 🛡️🤝

At Jay & Campbell, we help foster parents move from “caregiver” to “forever family” without unnecessary delays.

🔗 Link in Bio to learn more about the MOA process.



Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique; please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

Huge shoutout to our partner Katie Jay for winning the Unsung Hero Award at this year’s AAAA conference!The irony? Katie...
05/05/2026

Huge shoutout to our partner Katie Jay for winning the Unsung Hero Award at this year’s AAAA conference!

The irony? Katie was actually too busy being an unsung hero to make the trip to Santa Fe. 😅 Luckily, Sarah Campbell was there to accept the trophy and bring some of that New Mexico sunshine back to Florida. ☀️🏛️

Katie, your dedication to Florida families is unmatched. We are so proud to have you at the helm of Jay & Campbell. Now, let's get that trophy on your desk! 🛡️✨

04/28/2026

A major update to the Florida Administrative Code is a game-changer for foster parents! ⚖️🏠

As many of you know, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a critical DCF form that officially designates you as the adoptive placement for a child in your care. Previously, families often had to wait until after the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) was finalized to sign this document. 📉📜

That changed in October. 📝✨

Now, if a TPR petition has been filed for a child in your home, you can sign the MOA immediately. This means:
✅ Earlier legal recognition as the chosen adoptive parent.
✅ More security for your family during the transition.
✅ A more streamlined path to finalization.

If you are in this position, don’t wait! Reach out to the agency and ask for the MOA. 🏠🏛️ If you run into roadblocks, Jay & Campbell is here to help you navigate the process. 🛡️🤝

🔗 Visit us at www.flfamilyformation.com to learn more about your rights as a foster parent.

LegalAdvice AdoptiveParents FosterCareSupport FloridaAttorneys

Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique; please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.

04/24/2026

POV: Every Florida attorney’s reaction when they see a JNC notice for their circuit.

But seriously—the 19th Judicial Circuit has officially announced two new vacancies (Circuit and County Court), and the clock is officially ticking. Our Managing Partner, Katie Jay, is on the commission and her advice is: Don’t panic, just prepare. ⚖️✨

You have until May 15th at 5:00 PM to get your application in. Whether you’ve been planning this for years or you just realized today that you’re ready to serve, the time to move is now.

The Details:
📍 19th Judicial Circuit
⚖️ 1 Circuit Court Seat | 1 County Seat
📅 Deadline: May 15th

Don't let the "Office Fire Drill" energy stop you. Take a deep breath, gather your documents, and raise your hand. 🛡️💼

There are currently two judicial vacancies in the 19th Judicial Circuit (one Circuit Court and one County Court seat), a...
04/22/2026

There are currently two judicial vacancies in the 19th Judicial Circuit (one Circuit Court and one County Court seat), and our Managing Partner, Katie Jay, is currently serving on the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) to help fill them. 📍

At Jay & Campbell, we know that the strength of our local judiciary depends on a diverse and highly qualified pool of applicants. If you’ve been considering a transition to the bench, now is the time to act.

The Details:
📅 Deadline: May 15th at 5:00 p.m.
📍 Circuit: 19th Judicial Circuit (Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties).
⚖️ Vacancies: One Circuit Court seat and one County Court seat.

Don’t wait until you feel "100% ready." The bench needs lawyers who are qualified and willing to serve. As Katie mentions in the video, the application process itself is a powerful professional milestone. 🛡️💼

🔗 Apply here: https://www.floridabar.org/news-release/judicial-nominating-commission/19th-judicial-c[…]-jnc-announces-circuit-and-county-court-judicial-vacancies/

Address

1 SE Ocean Boulevard
Stuart, FL
34994

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(844) 624-2361

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