Paternity Rights & Family Law in Tampa

When a child is born to a married couple, the parentage of the child is undisputed. But when the parents are unmarried, it may be necessary to establish paternity to ensure an alleged father is granted parenting time and other parental rights.

It seems cut and dry; you are listed as the father of your child on the birth certificate and should be entitled to the privileges of parenthood. But if you and the mother of your child are unmarried, the law doesn’t see it that way. Although you can be held accountable for child support payments, without establishing paternity, you have no parental rights.

At Busciglio Sheridan Schoeb, our attorneys work with men and women throughout Florida to understand paternity, their parental rights and how to legally assert those rights. There are two primary factors we emphasize to unmarried couples:

1. Just because the name of the father is on the birth certificate, doesn’t mean he has rights to custody or visitation.
2. When a child is born out of wedlock, the mother is the only legal guardian.