Panama City Paternity Lawyers

Paternity Actions In Florida

When a married couple has a child, both parents have a legal obligation to that child. However, for couples who are not married and have a child, there is no legal assumption of who the father is. As a result of this, the man is not bound to pay child support. At the same time, he will not be able to appeal for visitation, custody, or joint parental roles. Regardless of whether you are the mother or father, The Virga Law Firm, P.A. can help you take the necessary steps to solidify paternity and resolve any legal issues.

As experienced paternity lawyers in Panama City, we have handled countless paternity cases. Our firm fully understands that determining the identity of the father is a trying time, particularly since the child's future can be at stake. That is why we are here to guide you through this process.

Schedule a case review with a seasoned paternity lawyer today!

Determining Paternity For Child Support

At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., clients will find solid counsel as they navigate paternity and child support matters. We can represent you through the entire process, starting by helping you file a petition in the family law court.

This petition will request that a judge legally recognize the man you believe to be the father. This petition will then be communicated to the father, at which time he will have 20 days to respond. If the father does not answer the notice, our office will file a second petition. This would allow for your appeal to be settled at a final hearing.

If the alleged father challenges the petition, our office can ask for DNA testing to be administered. The test would solidify the identity of the father, and establish irrefutable evidence. After the testing, you could begin to collect child support payments to ensure the child's future is secure.

Fathers, Child Custody & Paternity Actions

By filing a paternity action as a father, you are requesting the right to be involved in the child's life. You will not be able to retain custody of the child or visitation rights until you prove that you are their biological father. In addition to custody, you can appeal for shared responsibility, which would give you a say in schooling choices, religion preferences, and medical treatment. We understand that you want to be a foundational part of your child's life and our team will do everything we can to make sure your rights are represented when you hire our firm.

Filing a paternity action can be an extremely difficult time. That is why it is imperative that you get the counsel of an experienced paternity lawyer on your side. At The Virga Law Firm, P.A., you will get empathetic service, aggressive representation, and a vast understanding of the court system, enabling you to confidently file your paternity action.

Call us today at (800) 822-5170 to request an initial consultation.