Florida Laws on Maintaining Sibling Groups by Claire Salitsky: Case Law

Important parts: "Additionally, while the courts generally prefer to keep siblings together, there are exceptions for when the children are old enough to express a preference or when it is in their best interest to be separated.  In this case, the daughter expressed a desire to live with her mother and the sons preferred to live with their father. In light of the one son's threat against his mother, it cannot be said that the court abused its discretion in this matter."

Important parts from case showing importance of maintaining sibling contact: "Before concluding, we note that the court expressed its concern that the siblings, who asserted a desire for visitation with the adopted minor, have an opportunity to get to know each other in the future. Given the adopted minor's statutory right under section 63.0427 to "have the court consider the appropriateness of postadoption communication or contact, including, but limited to, visits, letters and cards, or telephone calls, with his or her sibling who are not included in the petition for adoption," we do not foreclose the opportunity of the adoption court to consider whether the child's best interests will be served by future communication or contact with her siblings."

Important parts related to maintaining sibling groups:  "Under the facts of this case, where the children have never lived together, there is no sibling relationship to maintain. The legislative statement contained in section 63.022(1) is a general statement of legislative intent to guide HRS and does not provide a basis for legal standing. "