Florida Divorce Attorney for Men

Men going through a divorce in Florida have the same fundamental rights as women. Fair division of marital property. Fair support arrangements. Meaningful time with their children.

But there are two areas of Florida law that affect men specifically, and understanding them before your case gets moving can make a significant difference in the outcome.

Paternity and Your Rights as a Father

If your child was born outside of marriage in Florida, you are not automatically recognized as the legal father. Without established paternity, you have virtually no legal rights to your child regardless of how involved you’ve been in their life.

If your relationship with your child’s mother is intact, this may never become an issue. But if the relationship breaks down, the absence of established paternity can leave you without any legal standing when it comes to custody or time-sharing.

Florida has a process for establishing paternity. In straightforward cases it can be as simple as filing an affidavit with the state. If it’s contested, you’ll need to go through the court. Either way, establishing paternity early is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your relationship with your child.

Once paternity is established, child support can be calculated from the date of birth. If your financial contributions to your child haven’t been well documented, you could face significant arrearages. Keep records of everything you provide from day one.

When the Department of Revenue Gets Involved

If your child’s mother seeks to establish child support through the Department of Revenue, contact an attorney immediately. There are procedural requirements and deadlines in this process that if missed can result in a support order being entered against you that’s difficult to modify later. 

Getting the right amount established from the start is far easier than trying to correct it after the fact.

Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

Paternity and men’s divorce cases move fast and the stakes are high. Schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation with a family law attorney and walk away with a clear understanding of your rights, your options, and what to expect.