Boynton Beach Paternity Lawyer
Children of unmarried parents are entitled to the same protections and contributions as those born to a marriage, but the concept of paternity applies to these situations. Sometimes called parentage, paternity in Florida refers to the legal status of a child’s biological father. It is presumed that a child born to married parents is the offspring of them both, but this is not the case when the father is not married to the mother. There are additional steps and different requirements for proving paternity.
At The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq., our team is dedicated to helping parents navigate paternity issues. We can assist with the options for establishing parentage, and we are ready to advise you on the implications for both parents when the father is legally recognized. Please contact our firm to set up a consultation. A Boynton Beach paternity lawyer can provide details about your case, and an overview of parentage concepts is informative.
Overview of Florida Paternity Laws
Unless you benefit from the legal presumption that a child is the legal offspring of a married couple, you will need to prove parentage to have the father recognized. In addition, you may even need to establish paternity if someone credibly disputes the legal presumption from marriage and claims the husband is not the father.
Once paternity is established, the father has rights to parental decision making and parenting time, i.e., custody and visitation. Child support obligations will also arise. Note that either parent can seek to legally establish parentage, and government officials might do so if the mother is receiving public benefits.
Options for Proving Parentage
There are two ways to establish paternity if you were not married when your child was born.
- Both parents can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP), in which they agree on the father’s identity. You can make arrangements at the hospital when the baby is born or any time after birth.
- You may need to pursue a paternity lawsuit in court, requesting the judge determine the identity of the father. With these cases, DNA evidence is usually controlling.
Help with the Legal Process
The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq. is ready to serve your needs with all aspects of parentage. We can advise you on the VAP and what it means for your parental rights, and we can prepare all necessary documentation. You can also rely on a South Florida paternity lawyer to advocate on your behalf in court. Once paternity is established, we will counsel you on next steps with child custody, visitation, and support.
A Boynton Beach Paternity Lawyer Will Advise You on Details
This summary about parentage laws is useful for the basics, but you will need skilled legal representation for a real life case. For more information on your rights, please contact The Law Office of Taryn G. Sinatra, Esq. to schedule a case assessment with a member of our team. Our Boynton Beach paternity law firm is ready to assist with the process.
