Paternity Attorney in Orlando, FL

Why file a Paternity Case

If you are an unwed father of a child, you must take affirmative steps to assert your legal rights to your child. Filing a Paternity case will allow you to do three specific things:

• Legally establish Paternity of your minor child.
• Establish a parenting plan and time sharing arrangement.
• Establish child support.

Time-Sharing and Parenting Plans

Florida has no presumption for or against the father or mother of the child or for or against any specific time-sharing schedule. The courts approach every issue regarding children by determining what is in the children’s BEST INTEREST. The children should have “frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the parents separate.” So, when a mother and father create a time-sharing schedule they should be sure to give enough time for both parents to be with the child. Parents should look at the needs of the children and figure out how to best allow both parents to be involved. The law further encourages parents to share all aspects of child rearing. To do this, each parent should have long enough visits to bond with the children and to perform different responsibilities and be involved in different aspects of the child’s life.

The new statute requires that all cases with minor children have a parenting plan. The parenting plan will be required to describe in adequate detail:

• How the parents will share and be responsible for the daily tasks associated with the upbringing of the child, and
• The time-sharing schedule arrangements. In addition, the parenting plan will outline which parent will be responsible for any and all forms of health care, school-related matters, other activities, and the methods and technologies that the parents will use to communicate with the child.

In most cases, the parents are encouraged to make these decisions together, continuing to work as a cohesive team. Typically, courts order the parents to have shared custody unless there is ample evidence that shared custody would harm the child. Parents should do everything in their power to work together on the custody and visitation schedule, so the parental responsibilities are shared. If a parent does not want the other parent included in the child’s life, there must be good reasons why and evidence to support them. Florida law requires that the court consider reasons for limiting time-sharing with a parent. To discuss what factors will play a part in your visitation schedule with your children, call Jennifer Dane Family Law to schedule a consultation.

Personalized Legal Representation

If you are facing a divorce or paternity case with minor children or are considering your next steps, contact our child custody attorney Jennifer Dane for a confidential consultation, to discuss your case, your options and your family. At Jennifer Dane Family Law our attorneys primary focus is to help you and your family transition through the shared parenting process as seamlessly as possible. Ms. Dane will advocate for you and children’s rights with passion and focus.