Whether you are an unmarried father or a divorced father, establishing your legal rights as the father of a child can be difficult and confusing. Fortunately, our attorney at Davis and Associates, Attorneys at Law, LLC has a wealth of experience in helping to establish father’s rights in Miami. We can help you secure a positive relationship with your children no matter what your current situation is.

Getting the Rights You Deserve as a Father

In Florida, both parents have equal rights to participate in the child-rearing, decision-making for, and time-sharing of their children, with the best interests of the children being the primary consideration. Despite this, many fathers find themselves at a disadvantage when dealing with family law issues related to custody and parenting time. They are concerned that their child-rearing, time-sharing, and financial support responsibilities will be severely diminished or eliminated as a result of court decisions regarding their post-marriage responsibilities.

There are several ways to establish a legal relationship between an unmarried father and his child. These include marriage, an Acknowledgement of Paternity form, genetic testing, or a court order.

Signing the Acknowledgement of Paternity is one way to establish legal rights as the father of a child in Florida. This document is completed and submitted to the Florida Bureau of Vital Statistics as soon as possible after the birth of the child. When the form is complete and notarized, the man’s name is added to the child’s birth certificate. This option is most convenient for unmarried fathers at the time of the child’s birth, though it can be done at any point prior to the child turning 18.

If the mother of the child is married when the child is born, he can also have his name added to the child’s birth certificate by signing the DH-511 form. The hospital will then send the form to the Bureau of Vital Statistics and it will be recorded in the child’s record.

However, this option is not available to all unmarried mothers who give birth in Florida. If the mother is married to a person who does not share the child’s genetic information, he may be required to provide DNA samples in order to have his name added to the child’s records.

The other option for establishing a father’s legal rights as the child’s father is to file a Petition for Paternity in a Florida court. The Petition confirms the presumption of paternity and actually creates the father’s legal rights as the child’s parent with regard to child-rearing, time-sharing, decision-making for, and financial support of the child.

Obtaining Visitation or Custody Rights as the Father of a Child in Miami

As the father of a child, you are entitled to receive visitation with your child, and you are responsible for providing your child with medical care, education, and other important needs. You may also be able to convey public or private benefits, such as health insurance, for the child in some situations.

If you are unsure of what steps to take to establish legal fatherhood, contact the Miami divorce and family law firm of Davis and Associates, Attorneys at Law, LLC. We have the experience and knowledge to represent you in your South Miami father’s rights case and achieve the desired results.