Tampa Paternity Lawyer

Our Tampa paternity lawyers represent parents who are dealing with paternity issues. We represent both parents who are seeking to establish paternity and those who are challenging or denying paternity. These determinations of whether or not a person is a child’s parent can be some of the most life altering decisions made in our civil courts. Because of that we take these cases extremely seriously and we provide these clients with vigorous representation.

We Will Walk You Through the Paternity Process

The paternity process can be confusing, especially for people who have little or no experience with the legal system. One might think it would be as easy as taking a DNA test, but there is more to it than that. Certain legal requirements must be met in order to establish or contest paternity. That is why we work to make the process as clear and understandable for you as possible. These cases are all governed by the Florida statutes dealing with determination of parentage. In Florida there are five ways to determine paternity:

• Marriage – If parents are married to each other when a child is born, paternity is presumed.
• Acknowledgment of paternity – If an unmarried couple signs a legal document called an acknowledgement of paternity, this can establish paternity.
• Administrative order – Paternity can be ordered administratively based on the results of a DNA test.
• Court order – A judge can determine paternity after a legal proceeding.
• Legitimation – If a mother and natural father marry each other after their child is born, they can update the birth record with the Florida Office of Vital Statistics.

When paternity is determined, a whole host of other family law matters may be impacted. That is why our Tampa paternity attorneys provide a full range of family law services. For example, when paternity is established and a child’s parents are not in an ongoing relationship, child support often becomes an issue. A finding of paternity may also affect divorce proceedings as it affects the financial situation of the parents. The most obvious related family law issue is, of course, custody and visitation. This is especially true where a person becomes aware of a child he never knew he had, with whom he would like to have a relationship.

Our Lawyers Can Help You With Related Legal Issues

In addition to affecting other areas of family law, paternity determinations often lead to other legal questions. Estate planning is one major area of overlap. The addition of a child to your family can drastically change what you would like done with your property at the end of your life. Business law can also overlap, especially if your business is family owned. Because of these overlaps our Tampa paternity lawyers do not limit their practice to family law.

Call Our Tampa Paternity Lawyers Today

If you are seeking to establish or challenge paternity, you will need the help of an experienced Tampa paternity lawyer. We would love to help. Call Bubley & Bubley, P.A. today at (813)963-7735 to discuss your individual situation.