Establishing Paternity
If you are unmarried and wish to establish legal paternity in Tampa Bay, Nilo J Sanchez & Associates can help. If a paternity action has been filed against you call 813-879-4600 to schedule a consultation with Tampa Paternity Lawyers, Nilo J Sanchez & Associates, PA. When you need sound representation in a paternity case in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas County, Florida, we’re here to help.
What You Should Know About Establishing Paternity
- How Legal Paternity is Defined and Established in Florida
- Legal Paternity & Parenting Plans
- What to do if You Have Been Served with a Paternity Action in Tampa Bay
What is a Paternity Action
A paternity action determines parental rights to a minor child or children who are born out of wedlock. If you are a father who wishes to establish legal paternity, consulting with an experienced Tampa Bay family law attorney will be highly beneficial and is recommended. If you are a mother who would like to establish legal paternity so you can obtain child support for your minor child and to establish a time-sharing schedule, please call our office for a consultation. Once your child is born, there are several ways to establish paternity in Florida and are as follows:
- Marriage: When a child is born to a married couple, the child’s legal paternity is presumed.
- Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity: Unmarried parents can sign a legal document in the hospital after the child is born, or any time thereafter they may sign an approved Acknowledgement of Paternity Form. This does not establish legal custody, timesharing or child support. Please read below.
- By Administrative Order Based on Genetic Testing or DNA Test: Paternity can be established if a genetic test proves fatherhood. Legal paternity can then be court ordered by a Florida Judge. Read : How to Establish Paternity Florida DOR
Reasons to Establish Paternity
- Establishing paternity is crucial for ensuring that a child receives the support they need from both parents.
- Establishing paternity assures health benefits as well as other benefits in the event one parent passes
- Establishing paternity protects your rights to timesharing and parental responsibility (guardianship)
- Equal decision making for the child is not automatic until legal paternity is established
Understanding the Process of Establishing Paternity
It is common these days for parents to have children out of wedlock. Both fathers and mothers can seek to establish paternity and may seek to do so for a number of reasons. Fathers may seek to establish paternity to secure their parental rights and to ensure that they can establish a meaningful relationship with their child.
Mothers & Establishing Paternity in Tampa Bay
A mother may wish to establish paternity to get a court ordered timesharing schedule and an order for child support. In fact, if an unmarried mother seeks out financial assistance for a dependent child from the State of Florida, the State will look to establish paternity with biological father and subsequently an order for child support. Florida Law states that both parents must financially provide for their children. We ensure that the process of establishing paternity is handled with discretion and care. Establishing paternity is a step toward ensuring your child has what they need.
Although not presumed, equal timesharing and shared custody can be ordered by the courts. Whether you are a father or a mother seeking to establish paternity, hiring an experienced paternity lawyer in Tampa to represent you in these matters will be highly beneficial.
Fathers Protect Your Rights by Establishing Legal Paternity
Establishing paternity is essential for both parents to protect their rights.
Establishing paternity is also vital for mothers seeking financial support as well as fathers who provide support for their children.
Parents should seek legal advice to ensure that establishing paternity is done correctly.
How Long Does a Father Have to Establish Paternity in Florida?
Fathers can do so from birth up to four years after the age of majority (18 years old). Fathers have a legal right to file to establish legal paternity in Tampa Bay and Florida. This helps to guarantee that they can be a part of their child’s life. By establishing paternity, fathers can ensure their parental rights are legally recognized.
Establishing Paternity in High Net Worth Individuals
High net worth families often need specialized legal advice when establishing paternity. In high asset paternity cases, it’s critical to have legal support to navigate the complexities.
Attorney Nilo J Sanchez is a skilled high asset paternity lawyer. Why does this matter? When a father or mother has high net worth or is in a high profile position, paternity cases can become complex. As mentioned above, every child in Florida is entitled by law to financial support from both parents. Child support is calculated and determined according to Florida Child Support Guidelines and is governed by the Florida Statutes.
When one or both parties are high earners, each parent’s percentage and obligation amounts change drastically. Depending on the number of children that require support and the amount of income exceeding the guidelines schedule, a minimum child support obligation may be found to be unreasonable by the courts. In order to reduce the minimum amount amount of support more than 5%, the courts must give their written findings as to why they found the amount to be inappropriate. Since the courts can order child support that goes above or below the guidelines, it is very important to hire a skilled Tampa child support attorney who will protect your rights and the best interests of you and your children. Remember, child support is also based on the number of overnights spent with each parent.
If one or both parties are high earning professionals in a child custody or legal paternity action, our high net worth paternity lawyers in Tampa are here to help you.
- Medical professionals
- Professional Athletes
- CEO’s
- Real Estate Brokers
- Business owners or entrepreneurs
Attorney Sanchez offers the discretion and sound legal solutions necessary in any family law matter. If you need to speak with a Tampa paternity lawyer, our family law firm represents clients who need to establish paternity, have been named in a paternity lawsuit or need legal counsel in a high asset paternity case. We represent clients in paternity & child custody cases in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County, FL.
If you anticipate a custody or timesharing dispute, call and schedule a family law consultation today. Attorney Sanchez & Associates are top-rated Tampa child custody attorney prepared to handle any child custody matter that may arise.
Nilo J Sanchez & Associates PA are focused, aggressive child custody attorneys located in Tampa, FL. Our custody lawyers represent parents in Hillsborough, Pasco & Pinellas County Florida. We have the experience and resources you’ll need should your paternity case become complex or combative. Whether it’s a child custody issue, timesharing matter or financial matter relating to your minor children, the goal is to achieve the very best results for you and your children. Our Tampa Family Law Firm has over 30 years of experience representing clients in high asset divorces and paternity cases.
Schedule a Consultation with an Experienced Tampa Paternity Lawyer
To learn more about establishing paternity, consult with our experienced team today. If a paternity lawsuit has been filed against you, please contact our office for a consultation. We can guide you through the necessary steps for establishing paternity in Florida. Call: (813) 879-4600 or use the form below to leave a secure message.
