Case Name: Robert KINCAID, Sr., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES OF the STATE of Florida, Appellee
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1996-05-08
Citations: 673 So. 2d 129
Docket Number: No. 95-2169
Parties: Robert KINCAID, Sr., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES OF the STATE of Florida, Appellee.
Judges: GUNTHER, C.J., and WARNER, J., concur.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 673
Pages: 129–130

Head Matter:
Robert KINCAID, Sr., Appellant, v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & REHABILITATIVE SERVICES OF the STATE of Florida, Appellee.
No. 95-2169.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
May 8, 1996.
Peter Jorgensen, Vero Beach, for appellant.
Joseph J. Masi, Vero Beach, for appellee.

Opinion:
FARMER, Judge.
The trial court abused its discretion in denying the stipulated motion for continuance of the final hearing to determine whether appellant's parental rights should be terminated. The grounds asserted were not pretextual, were supported by record evidence, and demonstrated undeniable good cause. Moreover, there is nothing in the record suggesting collusive conduct by counsel — that the lawyers were simply engaged in foot-dragging to delay a scheduled trial. Rather, the record indicates that appellant's counsel was attempting in good faith to prepare his case and go to trial.
REVERSED FOR NEW EVIDENTIARY HEARING.
GUNTHER, C.J., and WARNER, J., concur.