“Paternity” is the legal process for determining who is the father of a child. Children born during a marriage are presumed to be children of the husband. However, if the child is born to parents who are not married, the child has no legal father, and the biological father has no legal rights or responsibilities to the child.
In order for the biological father to be the legal father, the parents must establish paternity for the child. By establishing paternity for the child, the parents are ensuring that the child has the same rights and benefits as those children born to married parents. Although establishing paternity for your child may seem like a daunting process, it is important to understand that there are a number of benefits to be gained.
Benefits to the child include, but are not limited to, the award of child support, health insurance coverage, social security benefits, and the right to receive an inheritance. For fathers, there will be a legal establishment of their rights, including the right to seek timesharing and custody. Father’s can also have their name included on the child’s birth certificate. Mother’s will be able to share parental responsibility with the father, will receive child support payments, improve their child’s financial security, and they can have health insurance for the child be covered under the father’s plan.
When taking action to establish paternity, it is important to hire a knowledgeable Orlando attorney for your proceedings. Paternity actions are complex and the outcome of your case can have severe legal implications that will last for a very long time. Our attorneys at Longwell Lawyers have assisted countless clients through paternity proceedings, and we will work hard in your case to protect your rights.
The Orlando family law attorneys at Longwell Lawyers understand the importance of protecting your child’s best interests, and we will guide you through every step of your paternity action. It is crucial that you do not enter the process blindly; contact us today.