Splitting up with your partner while having kids is one of the most challenging and grueling experiences that a person can face. Some partnerships do it beautifully, and can get past the differences that each adult may have with one another, and rather, can turn a broken relationship into a…
Every parent has an ongoing responsibility to support their child. All parents have to work together to raise their children to the best of their ability. There are times of joy and also times of struggle. Raising a special needs child presents its own victories and challenges, and parents find…
Learning that you are expecting a child is one of the most exciting and life changing moments that parents experience. Between the planning and wonder of what this new life will bring to your life, parents are on a roller coaster from the beginning. In cases where the parents are…
Picture this…you and your girlfriend recently found out that you are having a baby. Not only that, you also find out that your girlfriend is not technically divorced from her husband. Does that cause problems for you as a unmarried father? In Florida, the answer is clearly “YES.” In Florida,…
In the practice of family law, there are common questions that are posed to an attorney on a regular basis. One such question applies to birth certificates and the establishment of paternity. In summary, the entry of the father’s name on the birth certificate (by itself) does not establish paternity…
The Florida Statute governing child support is 61.30. This statute covers in great depth the child support laws in Florida. The statute covers the base level of financial support for each child support obligation based on the household income and also explains in great depth how child support should be…
In Florida, the mere establishment of paternity does not create rights for the biological father. Fla. Stat. 742.10 provides that paternity can be established by the filing with the Clerk of Court of an affidavit of paternity signed by both parties, by submitting a notarized voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, by…
In recent years, the rules and laws regarding paternity actions in Florida have changed. Paternity cases generally establishes a father’s parental rights to a child in Florida; however, if the paternity case is brought by the Florida Department of Revenue those rights are limited to, basically, paying child support. In…
In a Florida divorce, post divorce or paternity case, there may be times the case is referred to a general magistrate instead of the judge. Often, a general magistrate’s calendar is more accessible than the judge’s calendar due to volume of cases. The magistrates have the power to listen to…
Written By: Lenorae Atter, Attorney Establishing paternity in Florida can and normally does require that both parties participate in DNA testing of the child and presumed father. The reason for DNA testing is to know with certainty that the father is actually the biological father of the child at issue.…