Weston, FL Paternity Attorneys

Parents have the privilege of and legal obligation to take care of their children – to keep them safe and healthy, to provide for their financial and emotional needs, to educate them, and more. However, while mothers do not have to wonder whether they are a child’s biological parent, men do not always have that luxury. 

A lack of clarity regarding paternity can cause many problems. 

• It can cause problems for unwed fathers who want to be actively involved in their children’s lives, but who are being kept from doing so. 

• It can cause problems for men who do not believe they are the father of a child, but who are being faced with enormous undue practical and financial responsibility. 

• It can cause problems for single mothers who are struggling to support children by themselves without the help of the dad. 

Our Weston paternity attorneys at Divorce & Mediation Law Firm | Cabanas Law Firm understand the unique challenges that you are facing. Whichever role you are in and whichever problems you have regarding paternity, we can help you find the best solution that achieves your long-term goals and protects your rights and interests. Call today to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options! 

How Paternity Is Established In Florida

The state of Florida assumes that if parents are married, and a child is born, the mother’s husband is the child’s legal father. If the mother is unmarried, paternity has to be established in one of three ways. 

The first way is by marriage. If the unwed parents marry, the father automatically becomes the legal father and gains all the rights and responsibilities associated with that. This step is only necessary to gaining rights as the father if the father was not included on the birth certificate and/or no acknowledgment of paternity was filed with the State of Florida.

The second way is by voluntary acknowledgement. Both the mother and the alleged father sign a “Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity” form. This is akin to them swearing under oath that the man signing the form is the child’s legal father. After 60 days, paternity is established and cannot be revoked (unless fraud or extreme force was involved in the signing). 

The third way is through a court process, which may involve DNA evidence. Either the child’s mother, the alleged father, the child’s legal representative, or the Florida Department of Child Support Services can begin this process. 

Our experienced and compassionate Weston paternity attorneys can assist you with either accessing the form and filling it out correctly or representing you if you need to establish paternity in court. 

Benefits Of Establishing Paternity For…

Moms – Raising kids is a joy, but it can also be a burden at times, particularly in terms of money. Children are expensive. If a father does not want to contribute to the children’s well-being, establishing paternity can help your children get the financial support they need and deserve. 

Dads – No parent has it all figured out, but being involved in your children’s lives and being called “dad” is one of the most special things in life. Establishing paternity gives you the rights to custody (which is legally referred to as “timesharing” in Florida law) and more. 

Children – The relationship between children and their father has been proven to be one of the most important relationships that children can have. It affects their development, their behavior, their emotions, and more. Research shows that children who do not have a father figure in their lives tend to have poorer academic performance and lower self-worth, engage in riskier behaviors, struggle to form other healthy relationships, and are even more likely to go to prison or develop addictions to drugs and alcohol. Establishing paternity can bring much-needed stability to children’s lives! 

If You Are Not The Father, You Should Not Be Responsible.

As previously mentioned, rearing children is an enormous financial, legal, and emotional undertaking that can affect your career prospects, your living situation, and your day-to-day life. If you are not a child’s biological father, and do not wish to become their legal father, you should seek scientific testing and a disestablishment of paternity. 

Our Weston Paternity Attorneys Are On Your Side!

At Divorce & Mediation Law Firm | Cabanas Law Firm, we know how difficult navigating the legal system can be, and we know how emotional facing legal issues can be when they concern your children! Our goal is to help you push past the fear and get to the good life at the end. Call today to schedule a consultation and discover what your options are if you need reliable legal advice or representation regarding paternity!