Paternity Under Florida Law
Paternity actions establish the legal relationship between a father and child, which is the foundation for rights and obligations including custody (timesharing), child support, inheritance, and health insurance. Under Fla. Stat. §742.011, either parent may bring a paternity action to establish or contest the biological and legal parentage of a child - and the legal implications of paternity extend far beyond a simple DNA test.
Establishing Paternity in Florida
Florida law provides several pathways to establish paternity. When a child is born to married parents, the husband is presumed to be the legal father under Fla. Stat. §382.013. For unmarried parents, paternity may be established voluntarily by signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity at the hospital or later at the vital records office, or through a court action under the Florida Paternity Act (Chapter 742).
When paternity is disputed, the court may order scientific (DNA) testing under Fla. Stat. §742.12, which typically establishes biological parentage with greater than 99% probability. However, biological paternity and legal paternity are not always the same - Florida law recognizes situations where a non-biological father has established a parental relationship through estoppel or has been recognized as the legal father through prior court orders.
Once paternity is established, the court has jurisdiction to determine all related issues: timesharing (custody), child support, and the child's legal name. The Parenting Plan requirements under Fla. Stat. §61.13 apply equally to paternity cases as they do to divorce cases, and the same best-interest factors govern custody determinations.
Paternity Cases in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach paternity cases are filed at the Palm Beach County Family Division courthouse, which is located right here in the city at 205 N. Dixie Hwy. As the county seat, West Palm Beach residents have direct access to the courthouse where paternity petitions are filed and hearings are held. Marc Cohen's experience with Palm Beach County's paternity procedures helps ensure that cases move efficiently through the system, from initial filing through final determination of all related custody and support issues.
Why Choose Marc M. Cohen, P.A.? Marc Cohen brings over 25 years of experience handling paternity cases involving everything from straightforward acknowledgments to contested proceedings with complex legal issues. His practice regularly addresses situations where paternity intersects with immigration matters, inheritance disputes, military benefits, and interstate jurisdiction. Marc's compassionate approach recognizes the sensitive nature of paternity cases while ensuring his clients' parental rights are fully protected. As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, he often helps parents in paternity cases reach agreements on custody and support without the need for adversarial proceedings.
Contact a West Palm Beach Paternity Attorney
If you need experienced legal representation for paternity matters in West Palm Beach, contact Marc M. Cohen, P.A. for a free consultation. Call (561) 740-3301 or contact us online to discuss your case. We serve clients throughout West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and all of South Florida.