Winter Park Paternity Lawyer

Determining paternity is an important step to legally establish a father’s relationship to his children. When a child is born to unmarried parents, the child’s father has no legal rights until paternity is established. If you are seeking to establish your paternity or a mother seeking child support from a co-parent, an experienced Winter Park paternity lawyer from our firm could guide you through the legal process with a focus on peaceful resolutions. 

At the Law Firm of Anthony Diaz, our family law attorneys understand how complicated these matters can be, especially when establishing paternity, but our goal is to peacefully resolve your concerns for the benefit of your children. Contact our team today to discuss your case.

How Is Paternity Established?

Paternity can be established when both parents voluntarily acknowledge paternity by signing the birth certificate of a child. Paternity can also be voluntarily acknowledged when both parents sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity. 

If the parents have not signed an Acknowledgment of Paternity, paternity must then be established by filing a petition with the court, where the court may order a DNA test to prove blood relation. Upon the filing of a petition, the court will have a hearing and listen to each side’s evidence. Then, the court issues an order regarding paternity. A paternity lawyer in Winter Park could stand by your side to ensure each step is taken with care and minimal conflict on the way to enforcing your parental rights.

What is a Paternity Petition?

To legally establish a father’s rights, a paternity action may need to be filed. A paternity action may be brought by a mother who is pregnant or already has a child to establish the father. A man could also bring a paternity action before the court if he believes that he may be the father of a child that a mother is denying him access to. Establishing paternity then determines the father’s legal obligations for the child. 

Additionally, a child may bring a paternity action if paternity has not previously been established by the time they turn 18, and they have four years to do so under Florida Statute § 742.011. A dedicated paternity attorney in Winter Park could help you, as a father, mother, or child, easily navigate the steps of this legal process. 

Why It Is Important to Establish Paternity

A father does not have any legal rights to parenting time with a child until paternity is established. Custody and a parenting schedule can be determined once the father is identified legally. Then, with the help of our Winter Park lawyers, an established father could cordially pursue his rights to access medical and school records and other need-to-know information about his child.

Establishing paternity is also important because a child is able to inherit from their father and have important information as they grow up about their father’s history, including vital medical histories. Child support may also be established after paternity is established. 

Let a Melbourne Attorney Help You Establish Paternity Today

A father’s legal rights begin once paternity is established. A father can benefit from having access to legal documents and negotiating custody and parenting time arrangements. A mother could benefit from paternity establishment to begin receiving child support. 

A compassionate Melbourne paternity lawyer from our team could help you establish paternity peacefully and with your child’s best interests in mind. At the Law Firm of Anthony Diaz, we work to find peaceful resolutions for families and advocate for your rights. Contact our office today to get your paternity questions answered.