What Are My Parental Rights? Establishing Your Role in Your Child’s Life
As more and more children are born to unmarried parents, Florida laws continue to evolve in regards to parents’ rights and child support. In the past, decisions regarding visitation and child support weighed heavily in favor of the mother, and these decisions were based on antiquated gender perceptions of the mother as the caregiver and the father as the breadwinner.
However, now many mothers’ earning power matches or exceeds a father’s, and child support determinations heavily consider both parents ability to support their child. Furthermore, society has progressed in its view of modern fatherhood and recognizes that fathers deserve an equal opportunity of establishing a positive, supportive relationship with their children.
If you are a father, and wondering, “What are my parental rights?” We are here to support you in your journey for an equitable presence in your child’s life.
If you have had a child out of wedlock, or are divorced or in the process of one, and need to know more about parental rights and child support, here are some factors you need to consider:
If you have not established legal paternity of your child, it is important to do so as soon as possible. The affordable family law attorney can show you a variety of options to establish paternity both inside and outside of the courtroom.
• Paternity is essential to establishing your parental rights and, once that occurs, we can assist you with all of the ramifications. From visitation to child support, we will work with you to obtain a judgment that truly reflects the best interests of your child. You will be expected to provide support for your child, but we will work to secure a reasonable agreement that equally acknowledges both parents’ responsibilities.
• While Florida laws acknowledge that children thrive in a healthy environment with the emotional and financial support of both parents, this idealism is not always reflected in the family court’s decisions. You need an experienced attorney to ensure that your interests are well-represented in all proceedings and decisions.
• You may think an attorney is a luxury you cannot afford. We believe that every parent deserves to have an advocate who fights for the most equitable outcome possible. With rates that are nearly half of the industry standard, our seasoned attorneys have made it their mission to afford every person the benefit of caring, competent, and compassionate legal representation during those emotionally-charged proceedings.
If you are facing issues of parental rights and child support, or paternity and visitation, contact our office today. We offer free phone consultations, convenient appointment times and flexible payment options. Let us help you be an active, positive presence in your child’s life.