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Do You Have Questions About Establishing Paternity In Florida?

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Paternity laws vary from state to state, which can make it difficult for parents to get a handle on the answers to paternity-related questions. To help, we’ve included answers to a few of the most common questions about paternity law in Florida.

Is Having a Father’s Name on a Child’s Birth Certificate Sufficient to Establish Paternity? 

In Florida, it is possible for an alleged father’s name to be included on a child’s birth certificate at the time of the birth if both parents consent. If, however, the mother of the child and the alleged father aren’t married, then it will still be necessary to file a paternity action before the man will be considered the child’s legal father.

How is Paternity Established in Florida? 

There are a few different ways to establish paternity in Florida, one of which is voluntary acknowledgement. This requires that both parents agree that a man is the child’s biological father. If, however, one of the parties doesn’t agree, then the parent seeking to establish paternity will need an order from a judge or an administrative order from the Florida Department of Revenue’s child support division. Both courses of action will require that the parties take a DNA test and confirm a child’s parentage. At this point, the court can move forward with implementing a custody arrangement and child support order.

What are Other Issues Can be Addressed During a Paternity Case? 

When a court establishes paternity of a child, it can go on to address other related issues, including:

  • How the parents will share custody of the child, which includes the creation of a visitation schedule;
  • How the parents will share childcare-related decision making authority;
  • Who will provide medical insurance coverage for the child;
  • How the child’s parents will divide responsibility for his or her financial support;
  • Adding the father’s name to the child’s birth certificate; and
  • Whether the child’s name will be changed to reflect the establishment of paternity.

It’s important to note that if a government agency files a paternity action on behalf of a child, then a judge can only issue a ruling on whether a man is a child’s legal father. For a ruling on child support or visitation, on the other hand, the child’s mother or alleged father must file the case.

Contact Experienced Florida Paternity Lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. Today 

There are a lot of benefits to establishing paternity. It is, for instance, often critical to the strengthening of the parent-child bond, while also providing a child with financial support, access to health insurance, and other government benefits. Establishing paternity can, however, be complicated, which is why parents who want to prove that they are biologically and legally a child’s father, should work with an attorney who can walk them through the legal process. To learn more about how an experienced Florida paternity and fathers’ rights lawyer can help with your own case, call Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 or send us an online message today.

Sources: 

floridarevenue.com/childsupport/pages/paternity.aspx

floridahealth.gov/certificates/certificates/birth/_documents/DH_Form_1568.pdf

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