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If you are not married, but you have a child in the State of Florida, a paternity action may be necessary to establish your time sharing rights, rights to custody, or child support.
The staff at the law offices of Stephen K. Miller, P.A., can help both mothers and fathers trying to prove paternity or refute it. Regardless of which side you are on, you can benefit from having an experienced Florida family lawyer that can offer support and guidance as you move through the complex process of a paternity action.
Florida Paternity Actions
Florida family law defines paternity as the legal recognition of a man’s relationship as a parent and includes his duties, rights and responsibilities to that child. Children born out of wedlock do not automatically have a legal father and, sometimes, a paternity action is necessary to ascertain the identity of the father.
Children born to a married woman are presumed to have been fathered by her husband and, as the presumed father, the husband is legally assigned certain duties and responsibilities. When there is cause for doubt as to the true biological father, a paternity action may be initiated by any of the parties involved.
Paternity actions are usually initiated when a child born out of wedlock. However, it may be necessary to begin a paternity action in any situation where the paternity of the child is in question, even during a divorce proceeding or following a Florida divorce settlement.
Establishing paternity may be necessary in:
* Obtaining child support.
* Being released from court-ordered child support, if the child is not your own.
* Creating a parenting plan and determining child custody.
* Obtaining a visitation schedule.
* Establishing a parental health history.
Understanding Florida Paternity Laws
Only a qualified family law attorney can help you to sort out the legal nuances of Florida paternity laws. With our vast experience in Florida divorce law, the team at the law offices of Stephen K. Miller specializes in:
* Fathers' parental rights.
* The establishment of paternity, through DNA testing.
* The disestablishment of paternity, through DNA testing.
* Parenting plans.
* Child custody.
* Child support.
* Name changes.
* Parental relocation.
If you are facing the emotional and complicated challenges of a paternity action, you can trust that our team of legal experts will treat you with the compassion and commitment that you deserve.
Stephen K. Miller, P.A. and his staff, working from several offices throughout North-Central Florida, have the knowledge, patience and dedication necessary to handle the highly emotional issue of paternity. They have the skills needed to successful outcome in a Florida paternity action.
Contact Us today to find out how one of our skilled Florida family law attorneys can help you.
