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Tampa Fathers’ Rights Attorney

If you are in the process of ending your marriage, or breaking up with a partner with whom you share minor children, it is critical that you have a Tampa fathers’ rights attorney on your side. Fathers are often legitimately concerned about parenting time and parental responsibility. Fathers are also often concerned about child support and whether they will have to pay it, as well as the amount that will be ordered. Under Florida law, all parents are granted equal rights regardless of their gender. Below, our experienced attorney outlines what you need to know.

Fathers’ Rights and Child Custody

Florida no longer uses the term ‘custody’ when determining which parent the child will primarily live with. Instead, the terms ‘time-sharing’ and ‘parental responsibility’ are used. Parents can agree to these terms and create a schedule and plan on their own. When parents cannot agree, the matter must be taken to court and a judge will make all final decisions.

A judge will take many factors into consideration when making decisions on these terms, but none of them account for a parent’s gender or biases regarding the ability of either parent to care for the child. In fact, under state law, judges cannot consider stereotypes when making decisions about time-sharing or parental responsibility. Instead, the court must start any case with the presumption that it is in the child’s best interest to spend approximately the same amount of time with each parent.

Fathers’ Rights and Child Support

As with time-sharing and parental responsibility, the court will not consider a parent’s gender when making decisions regarding child support. This means that the court cannot assume that a father earns a higher income and therefore, should pay child support. The courts in Florida use a very specific ‘income shares’ method and formula. This formula calculates the income of both parents and assigns each party a certain amount of support to be paid.

Establishing Paternity

When two married people have a child in Florida, it is presumed that both spouses are the biological parents of the child. This is not the case when unwed parents have a child together. In these instances, fathers must establish paternity before exercising their parental rights. There are many ways to establish paternity, including voluntarily establishing it or obtaining a court order for genetic testing.

Establishing paternity is very important. This is the only way for unwed fathers to exercise their time-sharing, parental responsibility, and child support rights. Establishing paternity also allows fathers and children to develop and maintain a loving bond and relationship.

Our Fathers’ Rights Attorney in Tampa Can Help with Your Case

If you are a father and are worried about your rights during time-sharing or child support proceedings, it is important to work with a Tampa fathers’ rights attorney. At Florida Law Advisers, P.A., our experienced attorney will ensure that your rights are always protected so you obtain the most favorable outcome possible. Call us now at 1 (800) 990-7763 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.

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Tampa, Florida
Florida Law Advisers, P.A.

Tampa, Florida
1120 E Kennedy Blvd, Unit 231
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (800) 990-7763

Orlando, Florida
Florida Law Advisers, P.A.

Orlando, Florida
111 N Orange Ave, Suite 800
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (800) 990-7763

Dade City, Florida
Florida Law Advisers, P.A.

Dade City, Florida
38100 Meridian Ave
Dade City, FL 33525
Phone: (800) 990-7763