A child who is born to unmarried parents can lead to legal difficulties down the road, whether or not the parents are in a relationship at the time of the birth. Whether you are a single dad or an unmarried father, it is important that you establish paternity and protect your rights as a father to prevent Florida paternity laws landing you in the office of a Clearwater family lawyer. Before paternity becomes an issue in your relationship, you should reach out to Tinny, Meyer & Piccarreto, P.A. to meet with a knowledgeable Pinellas County family law attorney.
Any father who is not married to his children’s mother should be aware that his rights as a parent could be in jeopardy. According to Florida law, your rights as a father may be limited if you are not married to the mother at the time of your child's birth.
Even if your name is on your child’s birth certificate as the father, you may have difficulty visiting your child or having a say in his or her upbringing without court involvement. Our Clearwater family law attorneys can help you to establish your rights as a father to prevent trouble in the future.
The first step you must take is to legally prove that you are the father of the child. Fatherhood can be established through a routine DNA paternity test. We may be able to assist you in finding a reputable and affordable DNA testing lab in the Clearwater area. Once you are able to prove you are the father of a child, you should be eligible for the same rights as a married father.
To schedule a consultation with a Clearwater family law attorney to discuss your case, contact us now at (727) 245-9009. We have offices in Clearwater, St. Pete, and New Port Richey.