North Port Paternity Lawyer

North Port Paternity Attorney

Establishing paternity is an important step to establishing the legal rights and responsibilities of both parents. If you are dealing with a legal matter involving paternity, a North Port paternity lawyer at Ruhl Law, P.A. has the knowledge of Florida paternity laws and experience with paternity cases to help you get the most favorable outcome possible in your case. For 15 years, our legal team has been providing high-quality legal representation to the North Port area.

Ruhl Law, P.A., has helped hundreds of families and individuals with complex legal matters such as paternity cases. Our skilled legal team has the knowledge, resources, and experience to make sure each client has the highest possible chance of their desired outcome. Our North Port family lawyers are committed to giving you the time and personal attention necessary to fully understand the intricacies of your case and develop a tailored legal solution.

Understanding Paternity Cases in Florida

In Florida, when parents of a child are married, both parents generally are presumed to have legal parental rights and guardianship of the child. When a child’s parents are not married, only the mother is considered the natural parent or guardian of a child. In some cases, where the parents are married, there may still be a question of a child’s paternity. Paternity provides parents and children with important protections and rights, such as:

• Parental rights and custody: In many cases, a biological father is often required to establish legal paternity to be able to file for custody or the rights to make decisions for a child.
• Child support: Once the paternity is established, a father may be required to provide financial support for a child, depending on the factors of the particular case.
• Health and other benefits: Health insurance, military benefits, Social Security, and inheritance may depend on paternity in some cases.
• Genetic and family medical history: Knowing the full medical history of a child’s family on both sides can be crucial for a child’s healthcare and treatment.

The most recent information shows that there were 14,712 cases involving paternity filed in Florida family courts in one year. Nationally, 4.1 million parents receive child support payments, and 2.7 million custodial parents receive support in the form of clothes, diapers, groceries, and reimbursements.

Ways to Establish Paternity in Florida

The easiest way to establish paternity in Florida is to have the parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form, which grants the father legal parental rights and obligations. This can often keep a case from having to go to court, which can save time and prevent conflict. Unlike some states, Florida allows this form to be completed at the hospital, which can mean establishing legal rights right away.

In cases where there is a dispute about paternity or paternity needs legal confirmation for other reasons, the court can order a paternity action. This is generally filed by the mother or the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) to seek child support or by the father to seek custody or visitation rights. Filing for such an action includes a strict procedure, and mistakes or missed deadlines can have significant consequences on the outcome.

FAQs About North Port, FL Paternity Law

What Is the New Paternity Law in Florida?

The new paternity law in Florida is known as the Good Dad Act. This law provides equal parental rights and responsibilities to unmarried fathers once paternity is established. Prior to this law, custody and guardianship of a child whose parents were not married defaulted to the mother, which often created hardships for mothers, fathers, and children. This law also simplifies the process of establishing legal paternity.

What Rights Does a Father Have if He Is on the Birth Certificate in Florida?

In Florida, a father being named on a birth certificate does not automatically give him legal rights to custody or visitation, also known as time sharing in Florida. To establish these rights, the biological father has to legally prove paternity through a court order or a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form. Once that is established, the father is considered the child’s parent with legal rights and obligations along with the mother.

How Hard Is it to Terminate Parental Rights in Florida?

It can be quite difficult to terminate parental rights in Florida. In general, the determination of parental rights has to be done through a court order, which follows a strict legal process. This can be requested by a guardian, state agency, or others with a vested interest in the child’s well-being. Grounds for termination of parental rights may be abandonment, severe neglect or abuse, a felony conviction, or significant mental illness or substance abuse that makes the parent unfit.

Does Getting Married After a Child Is Born Establish Paternity in Florida?

Getting married after a child is born in Florida does not automatically establish paternity. Paternity would still need to be legally established through a court order for a DNA test or a legal form such as a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form or Affirmation of a Common Child Born in Florida form. In most cases, such forms have to be notarized and filed with the State Office of Vital Statistics.

Hire a Paternity Lawyer for Your Case Today

Paternity cases can be stressful and complicated, and the first step to make sure your rights and interests are protected is to hire a paternity lawyer to help you navigate the legal process. In addition, your North Port paternity attorney can draft necessary petitions, negotiate with opposing counsel, and act as a barrier to any conflict that arises during the process. Regardless of why you are seeking to establish paternity, your lawyer can be crucial to receiving the most favorable outcome possible.

At Ruhl Law, P.A., our experienced family law attorneys understand the complexities of paternity, child custody and support, and other family law matters. You do not need to be overwhelmed by making sure your family’s needs are being met. Let our legal team provide the advocacy and representation your family deserves. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation, discuss your case, and start to develop a legal strategy for your situation.