Mistaken Paternity: Presumption Of Paternity

For most couples, pregnancy and the birth of a child is a planned and welcome event. However, for other couples, it is a surprise that can overwhelm — and, even with modern methods of birth control, the question of legal paternity can arise. At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices LLC, our family law and children’s right attorneys in Fort Lauderdale have handled numerous paternity cases and can help clarify Florida’s paternity laws.

Florida’s presumption of paternity

Under Florida statutes, you are presumed to be the father of any children born of your wife. Marriage and fatherhood usually go hand in hand. Here are some questions to consider when judging your paternity obligations (if one or more of these items are true, then Florida family law may determine that you are the child’s father):

• Since the birth of the child, have you lived continuously with the child’s mother and have you told people the child was yours?
• For how long before the birth were you married?
• Were you legally married when the child was born?
• Have you taken Florida parenting classes with your wife or the child’s mother?
• If you weren’t married until after the birth, did you voluntarily sign anything stating that you were the child’s father?

Work with experienced family attorneys who have handled paternity cases

Proving or disproving paternity is a matter of the law and medical evidence. At Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices LLC, we are well-versed in Florida’s paternity laws and have handled numerous paternity cases. Call our Fort Lauderdale office today at 954.687.9143 or contact us online and a family law attorney will respond to you shortly.