Tampa Child Custody Attorney on Rights of Unmarried Parents

Sole Parental Responsibility & Timesharing Unmarried Parents - Florida

Both mothers and fathers who are not married may ask the courts for sole parental responsibility once paternity is established. Sole parental responsibility differs from physical custody or "timesharing."  

In Florida, unmarried mothers are considered to have sole legal and physical custody of a child until paternity is legally established. If you are an unmarried mother, establishing legal paternity will help to secure child support. Doing so sooner rather than later, can help you to avoid financial difficulties. Alternatively, fathers who wish to establish a relationship with their child, should establish paternity either by agreement with the mother or other acceptable means by order of the courts especially if you wish to foster a relationship with your child.

Read: Sole Custody and Timesharing Florida 

50/50 Timesharing Florida

Florida does not have a presumption rule for 50/50 custody or timesharing however, the courts  do lean towards equal timesharing when it is in the best interest of the children. Fostering a relationship with both the mother and father is considered in the best interest of the child. Thus, shared parental responsibility and 50/50 timesharing is frequently awarded unless there are specific reasons why timesharing should have limitations. 

Father's Rights Attorney Tampa Bay FL

Unmarried Fathers in Tampa Bay have rights and responsibilities to their children. Tampa Family Law Attorney, Nilo J Sanchez & Associates will fight for your parental rights.

"Hire a Tampa child custody andchild support attorney who has the experience and knowledge you need."

Attorney Sanchez has 25 years of experience and knowledge representing parents who have high conflict child custody issues. Hiring the right Tampa child custody lawyer for your situation, whether you need a lawyer to protect your parental rights or to assist you with a child support issue, will be most beneficial

Why Tampa Bay Fathers Should Establish Paternity

If you have not yet established legal paternity, you have no legal rights to make decisions for your child. Without an order from the courts, you have no rights to "visitation" ( timesharing ) with your child. Frequently, unmarried parents may start out parenting amicably. When challenges or disagreements arise, fathers or mothers who have not yet established paternity may decide that they no longer wish to provide financial support or allow timesharing.

Additionally, fathers who are being denied timesharing and who have contributed financially, may abruptly stop doing so. When paternity is established and a timesharing and parenting plan is in place, Attorney Sanchez can file a motion for enforcement and contempt of timesharing should you be denied timesharing. 

When you stop financially supporting your child prior to establishing paternity, it may not be beneficial if and when the father decides to establish paternity or if the mother seeks to obtain an order for child support. It is best to consult with a Tampa Father's rights attorney before making any abrupt decisions.

Read: Relocating with a Minor Child Florida

Disestablishing Paternity Tampa Bay

It is important to consider hiring a Tampa Bay child custody attorney to establish paternity if you have recently had a child or if you are expecting a child and you are unmarried. Understanding your parental rights and responsibilities is important even prior to the child's birth. Once a father's name is on a birth certificate, this is considered a legal means of establishing paternity in Florida. If for some reason, you suspect the child is not yours or if you are later told the child is not yours but you have signed the child's birth certificate, you will need to seek to disestablish paternity to avoid being financially responsible for the child, if you wish to challenge that you are the child’s father.