Orlando Paternity and Custody Lawyers

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Establishing Paternity for Mothers and Fathers in Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford and all of Central Florida

 

In Florida, when a child is born the mother is presumed to be the natural caregiver and parent of that child. In order for the father to have parental rights or the be obligated to pay child support, paternity (legal fatherhood) must be established.

 

If the mother is married at the time of childbirth, her husband is legally presumed to be the legal father and no action is necessary to secure his rights. In the case of a divorce, the child support and custody issues will be addressed as part of the divorce.  If the husband is not the biological father, then the paternity of the biological father must be established by the family court.

 

If the mother is not married at the time of childbirth, then either the mother or the father must petition the family court to establish legal paternity.  Once the family court determines that the man is actually the child's father, then the family court will order child support and establish a parenting plan in the best interest of the child.

 

Whether you are a mother or a father, our paternity lawyers will fight for your child's best interest to establish a parenting plan and child support order that is reasonable and fair for you and your child.

 

Custody, Timesharing, Parental Responsibility

 

Once paternity is established, the family court then will order a parenting plan. The parenting plan will establish timesharing (physical custody and visitation) for the child for each parent as well as parental responsibility. Generally, the court will order shared parental responsibility, which means that both parents will be required to discuss and agree to all major decisions regarding the child's life: schools, health care, religion, etc.

 

It is important to be represented by an attorney who will argue for the best interests of your child and you during for the parenting plan because the judge will base the plan on the information and law that are made available to the family court during the process.

 

Our Orlando custody lawyers understand that your children are among the most important things in your life. We will fight for the best possible resolution to your custody case for both you and your children.

 

To set up your confidential consultation with one of our Orlando custody and paternity lawyers, give us a call at (407) 956-2172.