Paternity

Opening the doors to your future by establishing paternity

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Florida Paternity Lawyer

If you are in a situation that requires you to legally prove or challenge paternity, there are many benefits to hiring a paternity attorney to handle your case. “Who’s the father” isn’t only a question used on tawdry TV talk shows to get ratings. It’s also a legal determination that brings up many family law issues including child custody, visitation and child support.


Our divorce attorney services include providing you with guidance on all paternity-related matters. With decades of experience in family law cases, we provide strong guidance and representation to clients throughout Central & South Florida.

How Do You Legally Establish Paternity in Florida?

According to the courts, paternity determines who is the legal father of a child. Florida law presumes that children conceived or born during marriage are the children of the husband and the wife, who then have all the parental rights and obligations that come along with being a parent. Where things get a bit vague is when the mother is unmarried.


A child born to an unmarried mother is not automatically presumed to be the unmarried father’s child, which means the father is not automatically entitled to parental rights such as custody or visitation. He also isn’t automatically obligated to pay child support.


Who Can File an Action for Paternity in Florida?


  • A child’s mother seeking child support from her child’s father
  • A father seeking parenting time or custody of his child
  • A man being forced to pay child support for a child he doesn’t think is his
  • The Department of Social Services

Benefits of Determining Paternity

The identification of the biological father can have significant impact on the child’s life. Paternity establishes emotional, social, and economic ties between the father and the child. Among those ties including the following.


Why Is Paternity So Important?


  • Benefits Eligibility – The child may be entitled to an inheritance, medical and life insurance benefits, and social security and veteran’s benefits.
  • Medical History – The father’s medical history is needed for reasons related to the child’s health. Knowledge of the family’s full history of diseases, illnesses and birth defects can help a doctor diagnose or treat the child.
  • Identity – Knowing who is his or her father could lay to rest questions in the child’s mind and provide a sense of security.
  • Father figure – Children who grow up with fathers in their life are more likely to succeed in school and become happy, responsible adults.

A Lawyer You Can Trust

Hiring the right attorney is often critical to the outcome of your case. Schlegel Law Group invites you to speak with us at our Orlando or Miami offices, by phone or Zoom for a 30-minute complimentary consultation. Contact our paternity lawyers now!

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