Representing Unmarried Mothers and Fathers in Florida
When the parents are unmarried in Florida, having the father's name on a child's birth certificate creates a legal presumption of paternity. However, this is a presumption only. If the parents have a dispute over child support, child custody or visitation following the end of their relationship, paternity will need to be established in court.
At Sosa Law Office, P.A. , in Brandon, Florida, our attorneys guide unmarried parents through the paternity action process. We represent mothers who want child support payments, as well as fathers who want to assert their rights as a father and have regular visits with their children.
We serve clients throughout the west central Florida Gulf coast.
What Is a Paternity Action?
A paternity action is a court case to establish the paternity of a child when the parents are not married. If paternity is disputed, the court will order a DNA test. If you are an unmarried father, then we recommend you:
1. Have your name listed on the child's birth certificate or sign an equivalent declaration of paternity.
2. Register with Florida Putative Father's Registry.
3. Obtain with the written permission of the mother a valid DNA test to establish paternity.
4. File a court action seeking to establish paternity (even if you are on good terms with the mother of the child).
Once paternity is established, the court can take up issues such as child support, child custody and visitation.
Mothers often file paternity actions in order to obtain child support. Fathers typically file paternity actions to establish their rights as a father to have custody or visitation with their child and to participate in major decisions in the child's life. Fathers may also file paternity actions to prove that they are not a child's father.
Contact Our Florida Parental Rights Lawyers for a Free Initial Consultation
For more information about paternity or to schedule a free consultation with Brandon paternity action lawyer, call 813-413-4452. Our Brandon law office is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We offer evening and weekend appointments upon request and accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
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