{"id":372668,"date":"2018-04-06T14:47:33","date_gmt":"2018-04-06T19:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-florida.html"},"modified":"2018-04-06T14:47:33","modified_gmt":"2018-04-06T19:47:33","slug":"protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/protection-for-unmarried-parents-in-florida.html","title":{"rendered":"Protection for Unmarried Parents in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Protection for Unmarried Parents in Florida<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Families come in all sizes and types, including those created outside the institution of marriage. While orders (or agreements) for child support, custody, and visitation are part of the divorce process when minor children are involved, those arrangements are no less important for the children of unmarried parents. The birth mother’s parentage is established at birth, but the father is only positively established through a voluntarily acknowledgment or through genetic testing (as ordered by the court).<\/p>\n

Establishment of Parentage Comes First<\/h2>\n

It’s a much easier process if the father voluntarily acknowledges his parentage, but sometimes it’s necessary to establish paternity<\/a> through a court order (in such cases, the court will order a DNA test). In some cases, a father who is denied parentage by the mother will seek a court order for a DNA test in order to seek visitation or custody.<\/p>\n

A father who has established paternity can petition for custody<\/a> and\/or visitation time with his children, depending on the details of their case, and the mother can petition for child support and other benefits. This is true in Florida and in other states. When determining custody and visitation, each parent must complete a parenting plan (see forms below) before appearing in court.<\/p>\n

Protection for Unmarried Parents in Florida: The Basics<\/h2>\n

If you’re a single parent, you most likely have very little spare time to brush up on your legal chops. But you have a family to maintain and understanding your rights and responsibilities as a parent is crucial. Therefore, we’ve provided the following "plain English" summary of Florida’s laws and procedures pertaining to unmarried parents.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

How to Establish Paternity<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

To voluntarily establish parentage<\/b>, both natural parents of the child must sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity<\/a> in the presence of a notary public or before two witnesses.<\/p>\n

If the father has not acknowledged his parentage<\/b> , you will need to establish paternity by filing a Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Family Law Forms for Unmarried Parents<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Paternity:<\/b><\/p>\n