Florida Paternity Law: Miami Family Attorney
Paternity actions are filed in order to legally establish a child’s biological father, typically for the purposes of protecting one’s parental rights or to allow the mother to acquire child support from the father.
Florida law states that a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he was married to the mother at the time of conception. If a mother is not married, however, paternity must be established. This can be accomplished by having both parents sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form. If such a form is not signed, either parent can file a paternity action. A paternity action also may be filed by the child, the child’s guardian or the state if the mother is on public assistance.
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Florida Paternity Law
If there is a dispute regarding the paternity of a child, the court will likely order a DNA test. The law office of Ronald H. Kauffman, A Professional Association, in Miami can answer your questions and assist you with paternity actions.
Once paternity is legally established, a mother can request as much as 24 months of prior child support from the date that a paternity petition was filed.
There are good reasons why unmarried parents who are still together may wish to establish legal paternity. Doing so ensures that the child can participate on a father’s health insurance, receive an inheritance from the father’s estate or obtain a father’s Social Security benefits, veterans benefits or other death benefits.
Meet Your Lawyer
Attorney Ronald H. Kauffman welcomes the opportunity to review the facts of your Florida paternity law matter and recommend the best course of action. Every client works directly with Ron, and the emphasis is placed on clear communication from start to finish.
Call 800-556-2329 or use the contact form on this website to schedule a meeting with an experienced Florida lawyer who is focused on family law issues.
What is Your Family Law Issue? Start Here to Explore the Practice:
Divorce
Divorce is among the most challenging experiences. Your long-term financial stability and other critical decisions will be made at the same time you are coping with the emotional fallout of a failed marriage.
Family Law
There are a number of attorneys in South Florida, but only a handful are board certified in marital and family law by the Supreme Court of Florida and the Florida Bar. Ronald H. Kauffman is one of them.
Paternity
Paternity actions are filed in order to legally establish a child’s biological father, typically for the purposes of protecting one’s parental rights or to allow the mother to acquire child support from the father.
Prenuptial And Postnuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements are important for couples planning to marry. Many people believe prenuptial agreements are only for the rich and famous. However, prenuptial agreements help all couples.
Parental Relocation
When one parent wants to move more than 50 miles from their current address with a minor child, they will need either the consent of the other parent, or a court order granting a relocation petition.
Child Support
The amount of the monthly payment is determined by a formula that is spelled out in the Florida Child Support Guidelines. A number of factors are considered in setting the amount of child support that will be paid.