5 Ways to Establish Paternity in Florida
Parents who face divorce may have a difficult legal battle ahead. While you and your soon-to-be ex may agree on certain matters, such as property division, there is still the possibility that you will face a child-custody dispute.
These matters can quickly become complicated. For example, if the mother of your child disputes that you are the legal father, then you may have to go through the process of establishing paternity.
There are several ways to establish paternity in the state of Florida, and if you wish to have rights to visitation or custody of the child, you may need to prove that you are in fact the parent.
If you have questions or concerns regarding child custody in Florida, contact The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A.. A Naples child custody lawyer from our firm will evaluate your situation and explain your rights. Call us today at 866-949-0888 to schedule an appointment.
In the meantime, read on to learn five ways you can establish paternity in the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Revenue:
- Marriage
If a woman is married to man when she gives birth to the child, then her husband at the time is the legal father. Under these circumstances, you do not need to do anything else to establish paternity. The hospital staff usually completes the appropriate paperwork, even if the mother does not include the husband’s name on the birth certificate.
- Acknowledgement of Paternity
If you are not married at the time of the child’s birth, you can sign a legal document with the mother that states you are the father. You can do this either at the time of birth or at a later stage.
If you wish to confirm paternity at birth, then you must sign the Paternity Acknowledgement form that the Florida Department of Health provides. You must do this before you leave the hospital. You can still sign this form on a later date, provided you do so with the other parent in the presence of two witnesses.
- Genetic Testing
If you do not wish to sign an administrative order, you can undergo a genetic test. The mother and child will also have to complete this test. If the test proves your paternity, the Florida Office of Vital Statistics will add your name to the birth certificate. Please also bear in mind that different states testing regulations and laws are different depending on where you reside, for example, if you take a paternity test AZ based locations, the results may not hold up in court within a different state.
- Court Order
A judge may order a paternity test in court. This typically happens when either parent disputes the paternity, and a judge may order all parties to undergo a genetic test in order to resolve the matter.
- Legitimation
If the father and mother of the child get married after the birth of the child, both must update the birth record via the Florida Office of Vital Statistics. After this process, you will be the father listed on the child’s birth certificate.
If you have legal questions regarding divorce, contact the Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb, P.A. Mr. Raheb is a Naples child custody attorney who gives each case the attention it deserves. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 866-949-0888.
