Tips for Working with a Professional Father’s Rights Attorney
Gone are the days when women were, by default, awarded full custody of children after a divorce. Today, men have just as much of a right to seek custody or visitation with their children. If you are a father seeking legal advice or representation during a custody dispute, or you need to renegotiate child support terms, you can find an experienced family law attorney who will advocate for your rights through Super Lawyers. Our patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, identifying the top 5% of attorneys in each state. Use our free online directory to connect with an accredited Florida Father?s Rights Attorney.
Fathers who are facing divorce or going through the process of a custody dispute should contact an experienced family law attorney as soon as possible. An experienced Orlando fathers rights lawyer can help guide you through the process, ensure your rights are protected and provide a level of expertise that you may not have been able to achieve on your own.
A knowledgeable Orlando fathers rights attorney can also assist you with paternity issues and other family law matters involving children. This includes establishing paternity, claiming parental rights and addressing issues of child abuse allegations. A fathers rights lawyer can also assist you with custody issues such as obtaining joint custody of your children.
Florida law provides the same consideration to the father as it does to the mother in regard to custody, time-sharing and parental responsibilities. However, the courts still tend to favor mothers in custody cases. The reason is that most children live with their mothers in the early years and mothers are typically the primary caregivers of those children. However, if the fathers are able to prove that the mother is unfit to be the primary caregiver or that the mother should not have the children at all, they will have an excellent chance of achieving their goals.
Establishing paternity is an essential first step in securing the rights of a father in a Florida custody case. If the father and mother are not married at the time of the child’s birth, the father must establish his paternity through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by both parties in front of a notary public or two witnesses. If the mother refuses to sign, or paternity is questioned, the father can pursue court action to establish paternity through a scientific genetic DNA test.
When a father wins custody of his children, he will likely be responsible for paying child support. These payments are determined according to a complex set of guidelines that consider the father’s income, assets and any other special circumstances. A father who fails to comply with a child support order is facing serious penalties, including criminal charges. An experienced Orlando family lawyer can explain the laws regarding child support and how they apply to your specific situation. For expert help and understanding during this stressful time, contact the Orlando fathers rights lawyers of the DeVoe Law Firm.