What a paternity case is
When parents are not married, Florida law does not automatically establish legal rights or responsibilities for the father. A paternity case is the legal process used to determine a child’s legal father and to establish court orders for time-sharing, parental responsibility and child support.
Why establishing paternity matters
Until paternity is legally established, important rights and obligations may not be enforceable, including:
- A father’s right to time-sharing with the child
- A parent’s right to participate in major decisions affecting the child
- The obligation to pay child support
- Access to medical, educational and insurance benefits
Establishing paternity provides legal certainty and allows the court to enter orders that protect both the child and the parents.
How we help
We help parents navigate paternity cases with a focus on protecting parent-child relationships and creating stable, workable court orders, including the parenting plan and time-sharing and child support.
Frequently asked questions
I’m an unmarried father. Do I automatically have time-sharing rights?
No. When parents are not married, Florida law does not automatically establish the father’s legal rights. A paternity case lets the court establish them.
Can child support be ordered in a paternity case?
Yes. A paternity case can establish time-sharing, parental responsibility and child support.