Paternity matters are among the more complex issues that arise during family law disputes, and if you are facing such a legal issue, you should speak with an experienced Broward County paternity lawyer as soon as you can. Contact The Finizio Law Group, P.A., to learn more about paternity cases and how our legal team can assist you.
Experienced Broward County Paternity Lawyer | Ready to Help
Oftentimes, single mothers may attempt to locate the legal father to claim child support, while fathers may seek to establish parental rights. Generally, it is believed that establishing paternity benefits the well-being of a child. Establishing paternity is a legal action that identifies a child’s biological father. It can determine child custody, time-sharing, and child support, key areas in which heated disputes typically arise during divorce proceedings. With the help of a Broward County family law attorney, you may be able to establish paternity in a smooth and timely manner.
Fathers’ Rights Attorney
In Florida, if a child is born to unmarried parents, the biological father is not automatically recognized as the child’s legal father. Legal paternity must be established—either through a voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents or a court order—before the father can be granted legal rights and responsibilities.
Previously, even after paternity was established, fathers often had to go through an additional legal process to gain parental rights such as shared custody or decision-making authority. However, with the passage of the Good Dad Act (Florida House Bill 775), that has changed significantly.
As of July 1, 2023, once paternity is legally confirmed, unmarried biological fathers are now considered natural guardians of their children, granting them equal legal standing with the mother. This eliminates the need for a separate court action to obtain shared parental responsibility, simplifying the process for committed fathers who want to be actively involved in their child’s life.
The law now ensures that when paternity is established—whether voluntarily or through the courts—the court must also address key matters such as parental responsibility, a parenting plan, time-sharing (visitation), and child support. This makes it much easier for fathers to assert their rights and responsibilities early on, promoting healthier co-parenting dynamics from the beginning.
Additionally, paternity-related matters can arise in divorce proceedings, particularly if questions of biological parentage or support obligations need to be addressed. In such cases, working with a Florida family law attorney who focuses on fathers’ rights can be a crucial step toward protecting your role in your child’s life and ensuring fair treatment under the law.
Keeping the Child’s Best Interests at Heart
Whether you are a mother or father seeking to establish a child’s legal father, you can greatly benefit from seeking legal representation to protect your interests and the best interests of the child. Our Florida paternity lawyers work with parents to determine the best course of action for custody and time-sharing. In line with Florida’s updated laws, we assist in creating parenting plans and timesharing agreements that reflect both parents’ legal standing and promote the child’s emotional and developmental well-being. We work closely with parents to resolve complex family law issues in a manner that is expeditious, resourceful, and always in the best interests of the child.
There are several benefits to establishing paternity, particularly the following:
- Allowing the child access to information about the father’s medical history
- Allowing the child to know his or her father
- Providing health or life insurance from either parent
- Allowing either parent to provide financial child and medical support
- Allowing the child the ability to receive social security or veteran’s benefits and inheritance
- Granting both parents equal legal rights and responsibilities in making decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, pursuant to Florida Statutes §744.301 and the “Good Dad Act” (HB 775)
Contact a Broward County Paternity Lawyer
Our attorneys can counsel you whether you are seeking to gain child support or are seeking to establish visitation and custody. As the law continues to evolve in favor of recognizing the rights of dedicated, unmarried fathers, our legal team stays fully informed to ensure your case reflects these important changes. We can also help men prove that they are not the biological father in a paternity suit. At The Finizio Law Group, P.A., our family has aided families in the midst of divorce proceedings and family law issues to overcome many obstacles with the most favorable results. Allow our attorneys to help your family by calling 954-645-7700 or contact us online for a free consultation.
