Fathers’ Rights Attorneys In Boca Raton
In Florida, as a father seeking to secure contact with your children, it can feel like the deck is stacked against you. Being a dad is a sometimes thankless job, but if you want to be a part of your kids’ lives, you have options available. You also have our help.
At Weiner & Weiss, LLC, we are family law attorneys with extensive experience in fathers’ rights cases. We’ve helped dads across Boca Raton and all of South Florida be the fathers they want to be for the children they love. We have compiled over 60 years of combined experience helping in family law cases of all kinds. We bring the practical skills you need, with the personal touch that makes a difference.
Fair Treatment For All Fathers
For much of Florida’s history, fathers were not necessarily entitled to equal rights when it came to children. Mothers were given preference, and even today, unmarried mothers are considered the “natural custodian” of the children. Men deserve equal rights to time and support for their kids, and unfortunately, it is a fight to secure that.
The first step is always getting paternity established. With legally established paternity, you have access to all the rights and responsibilities of any other father. It is essential that if you want to secure the rights you deserve, you must first prove you are the father of the child.
Answers To Your Questions About Fathers’ Rights
Paternity is the right to be the dad you want to be. It comes with responsibilities. It comes with frustrations. Most of all, fathers’ rights come with questions that demand answers. We will answer whatever questions you have in a meeting. But many of our clients start with the following questions:
What rights do fathers have in Florida?
Fathers with established paternity have all the same rights as mothers. However, if you were not married to the mother at the time of birth, you are not considered a natural custodian of the child. This means that your ability to visit or have a relationship with your child is entirely up to the mother.
How to establish paternity?
The easiest way to gain paternity rights is if you and the child’s mother agree on it. The first opportunity is at the child’s birth in the hospital, where a specific form can be filed. If that isn’t possible, but you later marry the mother, you can establish paternity through your marriage license. A final option you can pursue is to file an establishment of paternity form with the necessary departments.
However, by the time our clients get to us with paternity questions, the easy ways are usually no longer an option. If the mother opposes giving you rights to visit or be the father to your child, you can pursue a court order. This will require several steps:
- Initial petition: The party seeking to file for paternity, which can be either the mother or the father, files a petition with the court and serves the other party.
- Hearing: The court hears evidence regarding whether the “alleged” father is the biological parent of the child in question.
- Genetic testing: In many cases, the court will order additional testing to prove that the alleged father is the biological father.
Once it is proved that you are the child’s father, you will have every right to pursue visitation, custody, support or any other right you deserve as a parent.
Can a father win custody over his children?
Yes. While the state of Florida prefers a shared custody outcome, you can become the sole custodian of your children if the situation calls for it. First, you will have to establish paternity. After that, you will have to prove to the court that living with you is in your children’s best interests.
This may involve showing that the child’s mother is involved with drugs or criminal activity. You may have to show that the home is unsafe, neglectful or abusive. You have to be the better choice for your child’s safety to be successful.
We Can Help You Gain Fathers’ Rights
Reach out to us today to learn more about our firm and our years of experience. We’ve been where you are, both as attorneys and as people. We know the difficulties you’re facing and want to help. Call us at 561-935-5529 or send an email using this form.