Helping Both Mothers and Fathers in Florida Paternity Cases
If you are married and your wife has a baby, you are legally presumed to be the father of the child. However, if you are not married, this legal presumption does not exist. This is true even if both you and the mother are sure that you are the father. If you separate from your child’s mother and you were not married, you will have no automatic rights to see your child if you do not establish legal paternity. Similarly, an unmarried mother will not have the right to child support unless paternity is established.
The paternity process can be challenging, especially if one parent contests the matter. You should always speak with a paternity lawyer from Boca Raton if you have concerns about establishing paternity. Both mothers and fathers should feel free to call the law office of Juliana Gaita, P.A., for help.
Ways to Establish Paternity
Many unmarried parents choose to establish paternity voluntarily. They can both sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form, which states under oath that the man signing is the father. 60 days later, neither parent can revoke the form, and the father’s name can be added to the birth certificate.
If the parents do not sign the form, either the mother or the man claiming to be the father can bring a paternity case in Florida court. If paternity is confirmed by a DNA test, the court can issue an order establishing legal paternity. The court case will then address some or all of the following:
- Child custody, including time-sharing and parental responsibilities
- Child support
- Health insurance and other needs of the child
Contact an Experienced Paternity Lawyer in Boca Raton for Help Today
At the office of Juliana Gaita, P.A., we help with every aspect of a paternity case, including custody and support. Contact our Boca Raton paternity attorney for assistance.
