Legal Question in Family Law in Florida

I have a pending child support case in the state of Florida against my daughters' father. He currently live in another state and only replied to the initial civil lawsuit. He didn't sign her birth certificate, denying being her father, and will not administer to taking the paternity test?

What are my options?

Can the court pursue default judgment?

Can he be ordered or penalized by the courts for refusing to take the paternity test?

I just need answers because I am a struggling single parent. Thanks in advance!


Asked on 10/08/12, 1:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dawn Marie Bates-Buchanan Bates-Buchanan & Savitsky Law Group, P.A.

The State of Florida Child Support Enforcement Office through the Attorney General should be assisting you. Yes they can default him. The will file a motion against him that establishes him as the Father based on your affidavit, if he does not submit to the DNA testing, despite his possible allegations he is not the Father. Once that happens it is very hard to go back and have a DNA test later. However, be aware that the CSE and AG's office are underfunded and overworkeds and the wheels there turn very slow. If you have any information on the Father call them, help them, give them anything you have on finding him, where he works etc. Do your due diligence to help them move faster and keep calling them weekly to see what is going on in your case so that you don't get put on a "back" burner. Good Luck!

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Answered on 10/10/12, 6:32 am


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