Secure your paternal rights!
Struggling to establish paternity rights in Pensacola? Establishing paternity can often be a complex and emotionally challenging process. The outcome can significantly impact your rights and your future relationships. More than ever, you need an attorney who can guide and support you. With Pensacola paternity being such a significant issue, each move counts throughout the legal journey.
Brightwell Law Firm has been successfully navigating paternity cases within Pensacola for years. Our lawyers stay on top of recent legislative changes to provide up-to-date assistance. We maintain a commitment to understanding each client’s individual situation in order to offer personalized legal strategies.
Ready to affirm your paternal rights and protect your child’s future? Connect with Brightwell Law Firm today!
What is Paternity?
Paternity is the process of determining who the biological father of a child is. This can be done through genetic testing, such as a DNA test. Paternity establishment is important for a number of reasons, including child support, child custody, adoption, and inheritance.
Who is the Presumed Father in Florida?
In Florida, the presumed father is generally the man to whom the mother is married at the time of the child’s birth. Therefore, if the child is conceived during the mother’s marriage to one man and born during her marriage to a different man, it is typically the man she is married to on the date of the child’s birth who is considered the father.
The Process of Determining Paternity in Florida
When a child is born to a married woman in Florida, the assumed father is her husband. If the woman isn’t married, paternity must be confirmed either voluntarily or through a court order. A name appearing on a birth certificate does not secure legal paternity.
Paternity can be established right at the hospital if the parents are unmarried at the time of the child’s birth. After birth, paternity may be confirmed voluntarily, or again, through a court order. Unmarried parents can voluntarily affirm paternity at any stage. If the child’s biological parents decide to wed after the child’s birth, they can undertake a paternity test before obtaining their marriage license. If another man, not the husband, thinks he is the father at any time during the child’s life, he can file a paternity case in court.
Voluntary Acknowledgment
Suspected fathers and mothers can complete a “Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity” form, confirming the signing man as the legal father. There’s a window of 60 days after signing during which either party can rescind the acknowledgment, provided they demonstrate extreme coercion or fraudulent intent in obtaining the admission. After 60 days, it becomes legally binding.
Court Order
If the voluntary form is not completed, any of the following can seek a court order:
- The mother
- The man who believes he’s the child’s father
- The child themselves
- The Florida Department of Child Support Services
In this case, the court will mandate a genetic test for the mother, the potential father, and the child. It should be noted that although an application for a court order may be filed prior to a child’s birth, the actual testing will not be carried out until after the child is born.
Why Is Paternity Important?
Establishing paternity carries considerable importance, offering numerous benefits to both the child and parents involved, including:
- Child support: Single mothers can receive financial assistance to raise their children through child support orders
- Health insurance and additional support: Alleged fathers may be able to provide health insurance, as well as other forms of support for their child
- Government benefits: Children may become eligible for certain government-provided benefits from their father, such as disability or military benefits
- Inheritance rights: Children are entitled to inherit from their father’s estate
Court orders addressing these concerns cannot be issued without first having legally established paternity. Men who believe they may not be the biological father can contest child support obligations by initiating a paternity action.
What are the Complications Associated with Paternity Cases?
Paternity situations can rapidly intensify in complexity. There may be instances where a paternity test becomes necessary, including cases where the parents may have married after the child was conceived, or when the child was conceived while the parents were married but divorced prior to the child’s birth.
Further complications arise due to factors such as the putative father registry, actions to establish paternity, court orders, biological fathers petitioning for paternity cases, circumstances involving sperm donors, and even efforts to disestablish paternity. It can encompass a range of issues including but not limited to the following:
- Setting up child support
- Formulating parenting plans
- Designating parental responsibility
- Assessing child dependency for tax purposes
- Handling medical, pregnancy, and birth expenses
- Taking care of birth certificate matters
Why Do I Need A Pensacola Paternity Lawyer?
Having a proficient paternity lawyer is paramount to navigating the complexities of paternity law. At Brightwell Law, our Pensacola paternity attorneys dedicate themselves to your case, helping you aim for the most favorable outcome. Our legal team is equipped with the following qualities:
- Comprehensive understanding of the nuances of paternity law
- Wide-ranging experience with diverse paternity cases
- Exceptional communication skills to keep you updated and informed
- Compassionate approach sensitive to your emotional needs
When you’re ready, you can take the next steps and reach out by calling us to initiate a discussion about your case, or use the chat box on the lower right of our website to schedule a consultation. Let Brightwell Law accompany you in your paternity journey.
In Need of an Experienced Paternity Lawyer? Call Us Now!
Being involved in a paternity dispute in Florida can present intricate legal and emotional challenges. With a thorough understanding of these complexities, our Pensacola paternity lawyers at Brightwell Law can guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are protected effectively.
Alongside our proficiency in paternity law, we also offer legal guidance in:
Don’t let the complexities of your legal dilemma overwhelm you. Reach out to us now and let our qualified paternity lawyers at Brightwell Law light the path to resolution.
