Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

What are my paternal rights??

I have a 2 and a half yr old son with my ex. i havent been able to see him since he was three months old. i have filed to claim paternity and possible visitation rights but all i got was to pay child support. the original payment was about $170.00 now i have recieved mail stating that i now owe over $5,488 in back child support. is this balance from his date of birth?? also if i pay support do i have a right to get joint custody or visitation rights??? i am frustrated to the point of saying forget it please help, i want my son to know who his father is.


Asked on 12/27/99, 4:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Melody Stickel-Martinez Melody Stickel-Martinez, Esq.

Re: What are my paternal rights??

Was there an Order entered by the Judge ordering you to pay child support or is this a letter from your ex or an attorney. If it is an Order by the Judge to pay child support then you must have been found to be the Father. I am not sure what the status of your case is. I ask because if you are found to not be the father then you have no legal obligation to pay child support unless you adopt. Again, I am unsure of the status of your case. If you have been found to be the father then you have every right to visitation and the upbringing of your son. This should have been part of the Final Judgment of Paternity. Paternity includes adjudication as to the father, child support and visitation.

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Answered on 1/04/00, 7:27 pm


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