Paternity Lawyer in St. Augustine, FL

Reliable St. Augustine Paternity Attorneys

Paternity issues can be difficult and stressful, but having the right legal support can make all the difference. At Leonard Legal, P.A., our experienced paternity lawyer, Christine Leonard, is dedicated to helping you establish or contest paternity effectively. Whether you are seeking to confirm paternity or challenging a paternity claim, our firm is here to guide you through the process with care and precision.

Understanding Paternity in Florida

In Florida, paternity is established in one of two ways: during marriage, as a child born during a marriage is presumed to be the child of the husband, or through the court system by initiating a paternity suit. Once established, paternity grants both the child and the parent certain legal rights. For the child, this includes access to family medical histories, potential benefits such as social security and military benefits, and eligibility for support and health insurance. For the parent, establishing paternity allows for the pursuit of custody, visitation, child support, and involvement in the child’s legal and emotional decisions.

Establishing Paternity in Court

If a child is not the product of a marriage, there are four ways to establish paternity in Florida:

Acknowledgement of Paternity: Both parties sign an acknowledgment of paternity, legally recognizing the father’s relationship to the child.
Genetic Testing: A genetic test establishes fatherhood, providing scientific evidence of paternity.
Court Order: A judge provides a court order of paternity, legally establishing the father’s relationship to the child.
Marriage After Birth: The couple gets married after the child is born and updates the birth record accordingly.

When paternity is contested, either the mother or any man who believes he may be the father can file a petition to establish paternity. Both parties are required to attend a hearing to present evidence, and the judge may order genetic testing for everyone involved. If an alleged father does not participate in the proceedings, the court may issue an order that makes him the “default” legal father, which could result in a child support obligation.

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Why Choose Leonard Legal, P.A.?

With years of experience handling paternity cases in Florida, Christine C. Leonard provides knowledgeable guidance to ensure your rights are protected.

Experienced Paternity Lawyer
Comprehensive Legal Support
Personalized Attention
Proven Results
Child-Centered Approach
Confidential and Compassionate Service
Expert Guidance on Parental Rights
Effective Negotiation and Litigation
Timely and Efficient Representation

Protecting Parental Rights

A man who believes he has fathered a child out of marriage can and should file with the Florida Putative Father Registry to put his parental rights on record. To do so, he must consent to potential DNA testing and be willing to support the child. Taking this step is crucial in ensuring that your rights as a father are recognized and protected.

Proven Record of Success

“Could not have asked for a better experience with Leonard Legal. I was in a very tough and unfortunate situation, and I am so grateful that I chose to have Christine represent me. From the very beginning, I was treated with respect and as a priority. Everything was explained very clearly, and my questions were always answered right away. Not only is Christine a great lawyer, she is also very personable which was a tremendous help during the process. Christine truly went above and beyond and I am so thankful. Highly recommend!” – Dierdre Reimold (Client)