Paternity

Fort Lauderdale Attorney Handling Paternity Actions

Many unmarried fathers and mothers do not see the need for a legal paternity action when what they really want is child support or visitation. At the Law Offices of Patric L. Jones in Fort Lauderdale, we offer a free initial consultation by phone or in person to answer your questions about paternity, child support and visitation for unmarried parents.

Often, a specific event brings on the need for a paternity action. For example, a father may refuse to pay child support following the breakup of a relationship. Or, after an argument or when distance develops in the relationship, a mother may refuse to allow a dad to visit his child.

Most paternity actions involve parents who are not married, although there are rare cases in which a married parent challenges paternity. In a way, most paternity actions are like a divorce for parents who are not married. Just like a divorce, a paternity action results in an enforceable court order for child custody, visitation and child support.

The first step in a paternity action is establishing parentage. If the father was named on the child's birth certificate, this does not establish paternity. The father's name on a birth certificate only obligates him to pay child support, not to receive any visitation. If both parents agree who the father is, this step can go quickly. If there is a dispute, paternity will be established through a DNA test and the paternity action will move forward from there.

Once legal paternity is established, a child custody and visitation order can be put into place, and child support will start if you are not already paying it. We advise you to start paying child support right away, before the court orders you to do so. If you have not been paying (are “in arrears”), the court can order you to pay at least two years of the arrearage.

Never pay child support in cash. Cash is a gift. Instead, pay with a check or money order that says "child support," and photocopy the payment for your records.

Free consultation with a lawyer by phone or in person: To discuss a paternity action with attorney Patric L. Jones, call 954-779-1994 or contact our law firm by e-mail. We serve clients throughout Broward County, Florida, from our office in Fort Lauderdale and our satellite office in Coral Springs.