Category Archives: Paternity
What is the Putative Father Registry in Florida?
Mothers are guardians of their children by virtue of birth, but the process can be more complicated for men. If a man is married to the mother at birth, then the state will presume that he is the father. An unmarried man, however, needs to take affirmative steps to establish paternity. One option is… Read More »
Is a DNA Test Required to Prove Paternity in Florida?
Once upon a time, proving paternity was difficult. Judges had to use their best judgment to determine if a man appearing in court really fathered a child. Today, courts have a powerful tool for identifying paternity: the DNA test. Some people wonder if a DNA test is always required, and the answer is no…. Read More »
Defining a “Legal Parent” in a Florida Paternity Case
Paternity (establishing a child’s legal father) is a critical part of determining various rights and obligations under Florida law. For example, a legal father can be required to pay child support or seek custody or visitation rights. A legal father can also object to a child’s placement for adoption. In Florida, if a man… Read More »