Paternity In Florida: Why You Must Have A Judge’s Signature

As a family law attorney in Florida, I often have cases where the parties are not married but they have a child in common. Many people have the false impression that simply because they are on the birth certificate that this acknowledges that they are the father. THIS IS NOT TRUE. Until a Judge signs an Order that orders that you are the father, then the child is not legally yours and will not inherit under your estate as an heir of yours if you pass away. As such, you have no legal rights to the child for timesharing, visitation or parental rights in Florida until a Judge determines that you do. Please contact a Jacksonville family law attorney for help in getting your parental rights established.