West Palm Beach Paternity Lawyer

West Palm Beach Paternity Attorney

Establishing a legal father can provide children with both financial and emotional support. Whether you are a father seeking paternity rights or a mother wanting to prove who your child’s father is, a West Palm Beach paternity lawyer can help.

In 2024, there were 380,000 paternity cases in the United States, and Florida has statutes to help determine paternity. The Law Office of Rosalie M. Cruz has experience with paternity cases and will be able to help you navigate the law and establish paternity for your child.

Reasons to Choose the Law Office of Rosalie M. Cruz

Rosalie M. Cruz has been practicing law since 2014, and prior to law school, she worked in a family law firm. She has years of experience in paternity cases and understands how sensitive and emotionally determining paternity can be. She will be on your side, providing reliable counsel and support.

It’s important to establish a legal father because it can help the child:

• Learn about their family medical history
• Know their father
• Be covered by health or life insurance if it’s available
• Receive support from both parents
• Get financial support through social security, veterans’ benefits, or inheritances

Along with benefiting the child, parents will have the right to receive child support or share custody. After paternity is established, Rosalie M. Cruz can help you determine the next step in your particular case.

Establishing a Legal Father in Florida

In Florida, courts assume that children born to married parents are biologically related to the husband, and he is listed as the legal father. However, in unmarried cases, paternity isn’t assumed and needs to be proven and a father has until the child turns 18 to establish parentage and 60 days to rescind paternity.

The alleged father can choose whether to participate in determining paternity either voluntarily or involuntarily. There are four ways to establish paternity in Florida:

• On the child’s birth certificate: If the parents are unmarried, paternity can be established in the hospital, which is the quickest and easiest way to establish a legal father for your child.
• Marriage after the child’s birth: If the child’s parents marry later, then the father can add his name to the birth certificate with a valid marriage certificate.
• An administrative order: If there is any kind of confusion about who the father is, then the Florida Department of Revenue will order genetic testing to prove it one way or the other. If the man is proven to be the child’s father, then the Department will issue an order that legally acknowledges him as the legal parent.
• Court-ordered paternity case: If paternity cannot be determined easily, then the parents will need to appear in court to determine the next steps. To do this, you can work with a West Palm Beach paternity lawyer to file a civil action in circuit court.

If the paternity case goes to court, then the judge will review evidence, such as medical or legal documents, and might order a DNA test to prove if the alleged father is, in fact, the father. The steps to genetic testing will require a swab from both the alleged father, the mother, and the child. Results take around two weeks.

If they show that he shares 99% of his DNA with the child, then he is the biological father. Once this has been determined, his name will be added to the birth certificate, and the court will proceed with decisions like child support and shared custody.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Child Custody Lawyer Cost in Florida?

A: Because every case is unique, some are quick and some are complex, it’s difficult to estimate the cost. A child custody lawyer will help you navigate the sometimes technical details of Florida law and help maintain a clear head during emotional moments. The most straightforward and uncontested cases can average between $5,000-$7,500, but the cost will increase as the case becomes more complicated.

Q: How Long Does a Father Have to Establish Paternity in FL?

A: In Florida, a father has until the child turns 18. As long as the child is not yet a legal adult, then either parent may petition for paternity. After establishing paternity, they have 60 days to rescind it. There are a few different ways to establish paternity, and a West Palm Beach paternity lawyer can help you make the first move and guide you through the rest of the process.

Q: What Is the New Paternity Law in Florida?

A: Before July 1, 2023, unwed mothers would receive full rights and custody of their child, but after that date, Florida changed the law. The Shared Parental Responsibility After Establishment of Paternity law grants unwed fathers the right to be the child’s natural guardian along with the mother. This makes it easier for the father to have shared custody and be involved in making decisions for his child.

Q: How Do I Establish Paternity Without a Lawyer in Florida?

A: In West Palm Beach, Florida,  you can establish paternity by visiting the courthouse on Main Dixie Highway, where you can petition for paternity. While it is possible to establish paternity without involving a lawyer, hiring a West Palm Beach paternity lawyer will make your experience easier. After you’ve established your parental rights, Rosalie M. Cruz can help you with other legal needs, like establishing child support and shared custody.

Contact a West Palm Beach Paternity Lawyer at the Law Office of Rosalie M. Cruz Today

Rosalie M. Cruz is committed to advocating for you. She will provide compassionate support and reliable legal guidance tailored to your family’s unique situation and approach your case with care and professionalism. She is deeply committed to understanding your specific and unique circumstances. She knows how to proceed with your paternity case, whether you are the mother seeking to prove the father or the father wanting rights to your child.

Located in West Palm Beach, she understands the local laws and will work hard for you. Don’t hesitate to contact her team today to schedule a consultation.