Paternity

Orlando Paternity Attorney

Establishing the correct paternity of a child is the key to ensuring proper custody and support orders are created. It is crucial that paternity be determined in order to protect your right to see your child and/or gain the amount of child support that provides for your child's needs.

At the office of Dorothy J. McMichen, P.A., our attorneys and staff understand the importance of establishing paternity. We can discuss with you the procedures through which DNA samples are obtained and how the possible outcomes may affect your situation. Unless there is an order from the court, there may not be any legal rights.

We confidently and compassionately represent fathers and mothers seeking relief from the courts to establish parental rights for a variety of purposes, including:

• Receiving child support
• Establishing visitation, contact and access rights
• Establishing shared parental responsibility

In a marriage, a determination of paternity is not legally necessary. A husband is presumed to be the father of a child born of the marriage. However, if a divorce is sought and the paternity comes into question, it is important that a paternity test be done prior to the conclusion of the divorce.

Once paternity has been determined, the same statutes regarding child support and custody apply as if the parties had been married, even if they were never married or in a relationship.

• Contact a paternity lawyer at the office of Dorothy J. McMichen, P.A. in Florida today to learn how we may be able to help you with your paternity issues. Our firm focuses exclusively on handling family law issues and can educate you on how the establishment of paternity may affect any other issues we may be handling on your behalf.