09/11/2026
Meet Dominic. This young man first contacted our office in November of 2024, after the mother of his child received an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence against him, as well as sole custody over their two-year-old little girl. Dominic had little hope that he would see his daughter again. But that’s where we came in.
In early 2025, we filed to establish Dominic’s paternal rights over his daughter. Things were looking up. Unfortunately, the State Attorney’s Office criminally charged Dominic for Domestic Violence shortly thereafter, which made fighting for his paternal rights that much tougher. Fortunately, our office successfully DISMISSED the criminal charge. But it didn’t end there.
In early 2025, the mother of his child asked to meet with Dominic despite the Injunction Order prohibiting their contact. Dominic agreed, believing the mother’s intentions were pure. Dominic was subsequently arrested for violating the Injunction and for Criminal Mischief. Dominic remained incarcerated without bond for several weeks. Eventually, a family member of Dominic’s called our office and informed us of the arrest. I immediately called the State Attorney’s Office and drove down to the Volusia County Jail to get Dominic out. Within a week, Dominic was RELEASED and his criminal case CLOSED. The Injunction was also DISMISSED.
From there, our focus pivoted back to Dominic’s paternity case. Eventually, we were able to secure Dominic a temporary 50/50 schedule with his little girl. Dominic and his daughter were reunited at last. Unfortunately, the mother wasn’t quite done with Dominic yet.
While our paternity case was pending and nearly finalized, Dominic and his baby mother got into a heated argument. The mother threatened Dominic that she would file another Injunction against him and take his daughter away again. The next morning, she did just that. Another Injunction was entered against Dominic, giving mom sole custody over their daughter once more. Dominic was devastated. He asked me what our chances are in restoring his custody rights once more. I asked him to trust us, and he did.
On Friday, September 4, 2026, we went to Trial to restore Dominic’s rights. After a long and arduous hearing, the Court GRANTED our petition and REINSTATED Dominic’s custody rights. This photo was taken just after our final hearing.
Dominic will be reunited with his little girl this very afternoon.
Dominic’s story is a tale of perseverance, strength, and fighting even in the face of repeated adversity. Dominic was knocked down many times but he got back up after every hit. There were times Dominic wanted to give up, but we were in his corner the whole fight, cheering him on and fighting hard until we achieved victory at long last. I could not be more proud of this young man in never giving up on his little girl and allowing us the honor and the privilege to fight for their relationship.
At Agosto Law, you are more than just a case. You are a story waiting to be told. You are a fighter never backing down despite the odds. And we will fight alongside you every step of the way.
