Five Benefits Of Proving Paternity In Fort Lauderdale
If you are a single parent in Fort Lauderdale and have limited contact with your child’s father, proving paternity may be an issue. You may have hesitated in taking the steps needed to prove paternity in Florida due to concerns about conflicts, privacy, or the legal system.
While your fears are not unreasonable, be aware that establishing paternity in Fort Lauderdale provides important benefits, particularly for your child. Our Fort Lauderdale paternity attorney explains some of the advantages and what the process entails.
How Proving Paternity In Fort Lauderdale Benefits Children Of Single Parents
Florida Health Charts show that more than a third of all children in Broward County live in single-parent homes. Raising a child on your own is undeniably difficult, particularly if you have never established paternity.
Single parents are often reluctant to prove paternity due to fears regarding their rights as a parent and the well-being of their child. However, be aware that proving paternity in Fort Lauderdale provides important benefits:
- After you establish paternity, you can request a child support order, which can play a significant role in helping to provide for your child.
- Your child may qualify for health insurance or other benefits through their father, such as Social Security.
- Knowledge of the father’s medical history can be vital in maintaining your child’s health.
- Proving paternity means the child is then legally entitled to inherit from the father’s estate.
- Knowing who their father is can help in providing a more complete sense of identity for your child and can improve their self-esteem.
Proving Paternity in Fort Lauderdale
The Florida Statutes outline the process for proving paternity in Tampa. The simplest method is having the father sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, which gets filed with the state Department of Health. If the father refuses to acknowledge the child, you can take them to court. Paternity proceedings in Fort Lauderdale generally involve:
- Gathering evidence in support of your claim;
- Filing a petition to prove paternity through the Broward County Family Court;
- Presenting evidence in court and requesting DNA testing;
- Requesting the judge issue a court order requiring the alleged father to appear in court;
- Obtaining cheek swabs from the mother, the alleged father, and the child which are over 99 percent effective in determining paternity.
While you may be hesitant in taking the first step in proving paternity, it is generally in your own and your child’s best interests. Once paternity gets established through the Broward Court, you can then address child support payments, as well as any child time-sharing or visitation arrangements.
For Trusted Legal Help, Contact Our Experienced Fort Lauderdale Paternity Attorney Today
Proving paternity in Fort Lauderdale can help in protecting your child’s financial security and future well-being. Whether it involves establishing fatherhood voluntarily or through a legal process, our experienced Fort Lauderdale paternity attorney provides the trusted legal help you need.
Sandra Bonfiglio can explain your options and represent you throughout paternity proceedings, guiding you through each step of the process. To request a consultation, contact our office today.
Sources:
flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndRateOnly.Dataviewer&cid=9907
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0742/0742.html
