Jacksonville Florida Paternity Lawyers
In the legal world, paternity is identifying and establishing the biological father of a child. This can be done through DNA tests after a petition has been filed. Men can hire a paternity lawyer to file petitions which would claim a child as their own. That would grant them certain parental rights under Florida law. Unwed women can also hire a paternity attorney to seek support from a child’s biological father. Whichever side you are on, the experienced attorneys at Mason Family Law can help with your paternity case.
Paternity disputes can involve a lot of back and forth. Parents can argue, connive and often attempt to evade their responsibilities. Regardless of what one person says, there is a clear and concise way of resolving these matters. There are only two ways to establish paternity in the state of Florida and they are as follows:
- A couple is married and have a child while they are still married
- An Establishment of Paternity case is completed through the Florida court system
Establishing Paternity
One myth about paternity involves signing the child’s birth certificate. A signature on a birth certificate does not establish paternity. Unless already married to the mother, a father must file a court petition and only after a successful result can he be deemed the legal father of the child. While this process is being undertaken, the following issues can also be resolved:
- Child Support: Non-custodial parents may be obligated to make support payments to the custodial parent. The amount of the child support payment depends largely on the income of the non-custodial parent and the cost of living in the area.
- Parenting Plans: This can involve joint custody agreements, visitation times and living arrangements.
- Medical Insurance: Agreements on how a child’s medical insurance will be handled is generally part of the overall child support arrangement.
Paternity cases can be filed by either the father or the mother. There are instances in which mothers do not want to be discovered by their child’s biological father. There are also cases in which a father denies a child is his to evade support payments. In both situations, DNA tests will be required. The court will order a test and take proper measures based on the final results.
The Experience to Represent Your Case
Paternity cases can also involve more detailed issues such as specialized custody agreements while taking into consideration the best interests of the child. While children are the focal point of any paternity case, the outcome obviously has a major impact on both parents as well. The attorneys at J. Demere Mason P.A. are available to represent both fathers and mothers through the entire process. With over three decades practicing family law in Florida, we offer experienced legal guidance for your paternity issue. Contact our office today at 904-726-8589 to discuss your case.