Every child deserves to know their father regardless of whether your marriage worked out or not, but in cases that the father isn't fully informed of their rights, the child suffers. Paternity is simply a term that is used to describe fatherhood, which is why establishing paternity is so important. Simply put, establishing paternity provides your child with a father in the legal system. Furthermore, establishing paternity ensures that all parents have the opportunity to maintain a relationship with their child/children.

There are many benefits that fathers who establish paternity enjoy such as: 

• Ability to obtain information on family medical histories

• Ensuring that your child will know you

• Provide medical aid and financial support to your progeny

• Obtain a court order for visitation rights or custody rights

• Input when it comes to the child's legal matters

• Name listed on Birth Certificate

There are virtually no special circumstances that preclude you from gaining your men only fathers rights. In fact, regardless of your circumstance, any man who has reason to believe he is the father of a child can file for paternity rights. 

There are several ways you can establish paternity for your child and obtain your men only fathers rights:

Marriage:

If the parents are married to one another at the time of the child's birth.

Acknowledgement of Paternity:

At the time of your child's birth, an unmarried couple can fill out legal documents before or after leaving the hospital.

Administrative Order Based on Genetic Testing:

The State can order you to perform a genetic test, and if the results conclude that you are the father, then paternity is ordered by the court.

Court Order:

A judge can order paternity.

Legitimation:

Although there are several ways to legitimize your child, one of the most effective ways is to get married to your spouse.

Understanding Paternity Rights for Men

There are several pertinent differences between legal and biological paternity. Regardless of biological paternity, only one legal father is recognized under the jurisdiction of the court. The legal father of the child has all of the legal rights to that child as well as all of the legal responsibilities. In essence, even though you are established as the biological father of your child, another male can be established, through a paternity action, to be the legal father to your child.

Whenever a child is born to a married couple, the husband is always presumed to be the father, even in the event that the wife is known to be involved in an affair. In the case that someone else has reason to believe that they may be the biological father, he can file a paternity action and procure men only fathers rights. If it is determined to be in the best interest of the child for the non-biological father to remain the legal father, this is what the judgment will be, but you can attempt to the reverse this action by filing for an appeal.

We Fight for Men Only Fathers Rights

Based on your circumstances, our firm will be able to analyze your situation and recommend the appropriate course of action to establish paternity. If you have reason to believe that you are the father of a child, it is in the best interest of both parties for you to file a paternity action as quickly as possible. If you have been ordered by the court to pay child support, and you believe that you are not the father of the child, we can help guide you through the process of contesting your child support orders.

Kenny Leigh and Associates has been serving Northeast Florida and South Florida for years, and you can visit us at any one of the following five locations:

• Jacksonville
• Gainesville
• Fleming Island
• Boca Raton
• Daytona