Get Legal Help with Your Paternity Case

In Florida, establishing paternity is a crucial step in securing a father’s legal rights and responsibilities regarding his child. If parents are unmarried when the child is born, the biological father does not automatically have legal rights to custody, visitation, or decision-making for the child. Likewise, the child may not have access to important benefits, such as financial support, inheritance rights, or health insurance from the father.

Florida law provides several ways to establish paternity:

• Voluntary Acknowledgment – Both parents sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form at the hospital or later through the Florida Department of Health. This grants the father legal recognition.

• Administrative Order Based on Genetic Testing – If paternity is disputed, DNA testing may be ordered. If the test confirms paternity, the Florida Department of Revenue can issue an Administrative Order establishing legal fatherhood.

• Court Order – Either parent can file a paternity case in family court to legally establish fatherhood, determine child support, and set a parenting plan for custody and visitation.

• Marriage – If the parents marry after the child is born, the father can be legally recognized as the child’s father through an updated birth certificate.

Once paternity is confirmed, the court can order child support payments to ensure the child’s financial well-being. However, paternity does not automatically grant a father custody or visitation rights—these must be established through a separate parenting plan approved by the court.

If you need help with child support modifications or establishing a custody agreement, The Franklin Firm, PLLC can represent your interests.

Whether you need to establish paternity, fight a false paternity claim, or secure your parental rights, The Franklin Firm, PLLC is here to help. We provide personalized legal guidance to protect your rights and ensure the best outcome for you and your child.