Legal Question in Family Law in Florida
unmarried fathers rights to child
i live in floridia what are my rights to my child?the mother has ran off with her do I have any rights being unmarried?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: unmarried fathers rights to child
Yes, though you will have to bring court action for custody/visitation.
Re: unmarried fathers rights to child
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An unmarried father has the same rights as any other father. You can file a Petition to Determine Paternity and then ask the court to enforce your legal rights to claim custody and/or visitation rights. If the mother refuses to cooperate, the court can make her submit the child for DNA testing. If she refuses to provide visitation, she can risk losing the right to serve as the primary residential parent of the child.
Scott R. Jay, Esq.