Paternity Serving Families Throughout Jacksonville For Over 25 Years

Jacksonville Paternity Attorney

Comprehensive Legal Support for Paternity Matters in Jacksonville, FL

Paternity is the legal finding that establishes a parental relationship between a man and a child. If you need help establishing paternity, a Jacksonville paternity lawyer from Problems? Pick Porter!™ can help. We have many years of experience representing both fathers and mothers in these matters. Paternity cases can help protect the rights of the individual to:

Why Establish Paternity?

There are many reasons to establish paternity.

Some specific examples might include:

A mother wants to establish paternity to prove that a man who denies paternity and will not pay child support is actually the father of the child.
A woman states that a particular man is the father. This is untrue, but the man is now being harassed to pay child support by the state child support enforcement agency.
The mother of a child is denying visitation rights to the biological father and will not allow him to see his child.
A child needs to prove paternity for inheritance reasons.

Ways to Establish Paternity in FL

Aside from genetic testing, there are many different ways to legally establish paternity in the state of Florida. According to the Florida Department of Revenue, marriage is one way. If a man is married to a woman at the time she gives birth to a child, that man is presumed to be the legal father of the child, although this can be contested in court.

Acknowledgement is another way to establish paternity, which can be accomplished by way of an unmarried couple signing a legal document at the hospital where the child is born.

Additional Methods for Establishing Paternity:

Administrative order
Court order
Legitimation

Defining "Legitimation"

Legitimation is a process through which the mother and natural father of a child get married after a child is born and then update the child's birth records via the Florida Office of Vital Statistics. An attorney will be able to decipher which option is best for your unique situation.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity

If it is ambiguous who the legal father of a child is, there are many benefits to legally establishing paternity. While this might seem like an arduous process on the surface, it is actually fairly simple to handle, especially with the help of an attorney, and the benefits are numerous.

Listed below are some of the most commonly recognized benefits of determining paternity:

Only a legal parent has the right to obtain a child support order, obtain visitation or custody rights or have a say in the legal decisions regarding the child
The child will be able to know who their father is
The child can gain access to their father's health or life insurance, if applicable
The child will be able to learn about both sides of their family medical history
The father's name will be included on the child's birth certificate

Understanding Paternity Issues in Jacksonville

Living in Jacksonville, you may be familiar with the unique challenges that come with establishing paternity. Whether you're navigating the bustling streets of Downtown Jacksonville or residing in the quieter neighborhoods of Riverside or San Marco, the need for legal clarity in paternity matters is universal. At Problems? Pick Porter!™, we understand the local landscape and the specific concerns of our community members.

Navigating the Complexities of Paternity Cases

The complexities of paternity cases often necessitate personalized legal guidance tailored to each unique situation. At our firm, we recognize that these cases can be emotionally charged, and we are committed to providing unbiased and experienced counsel. Whether you're facing disputes related to child support, visitation rights, or custody arrangements, our dedicated team can help you navigate these challenging issues effectively and with compassion.

One common pain point for residents of Jacksonville is the frustrating delays in legal proceedings, which can add to the stress for parents eager to resolve paternity matters. We are well-versed in the procedures of the Duval County Clerk of Courts and have the knowledge to help expedite your case.

By choosing Problems? Pick Porter!™, you're not just getting legal representation; you're partnering with a team that truly understands Jacksonville and its residents. We are committed to providing the support you need to preserve your parental rights and pursue favorable outcomes for your family.

Continue Reading Read Less

DNA Testing to Prove Paternity

Paternity is proved by DNA testing. DNA tests can be inclusive or exclusive. Tests that are inclusive show how likely it is that a man is the father of a child. An inclusive test establishes paternity to a certainty between 99% and 99.99%. An exclusive test will prove that a man is not the father of a child with a certainty of 100%.

When parental rights need to be determined, child support established, or paternity disproved, we can help. Our legal team will use our knowledge of paternity law and our years of experience to resolve your paternity and resulting family related concerns, so contact us today.

A Guided, Hands-On Approach
Step-by-Step Guidance for Any Legal Matter
A Compassionate Team
Your Story Matters - We're Here to Listen
Extensive Experience
Approximately 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience On Your Side
Award-Winning Counsel
Top-Rated Ethics & Legal Skill – AV Preeminent® Rating
Trusted & Recommended
Trusted by the Media & Recommended by Our Clients
Top-Rated Attorneys
Top-Rated Personal Injury, DUI, & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Hear From Our Happy Clients

Serving Jacksonville, FL Since 2004

"Thankful to this firm for their hard work and dedication!"
I unfortunately experienced a terrible accident and was hurt. I reached out to Jason Porter’s law firm, as he has helped my father in the past and is a trusted attorney in my family.
Unfortunately, the process had a slow start due to many moving pieces. Hildy stepped in and things got moving IMMEDIATELY! She is amazing. So sweet, so understanding, so educated and intelligent regarding her position. Because of her, I felt assured and heard.
Thankful to this firm for their hard work and dedication!

- M.D.
"When I first spoke to Mr. Watson on the phone, I knew we would be in great hands!"
After our meeting in person, I was absolutely pleased in choosing The Porter Law Firm to represent my Deaf sister in her auto accident injury case!!! We look forward to working with Mr. Watson...who is a very, very kind, respectful, and informative Attorne

- S.N.
"Nicely Done! Success has been reached!"
Many times when you meet attorneys to represent you, there are thoughts that reside in the back of your head...some good and some bad. "Are these guys REALLY going to help me," or "do they REALLY have my best interest," or "can I really trust them?" Those are the many thoughts, plus more, that I had--it did go away after my first initial visit with one of the attorney's at Jason's Porter's law office. For my case, I worked with two different attorneys which included Jason Porter himself. Both of those guys were with me 100% from the beginning, in court, after court, late in the evening by phone calls, text, and emails, it was a great experience. What was consistent and what I valued most is that I got to know both of them, what they like to do in their personal time with family, which felt like I could communicate openly and honestly. My case was a criminal case and because of them, I do not have to be viewed as a criminal. I want to share and express my gratitude for how they have helped me so others can choose Jason Porter.

- JW
"Highly recommend this team!"
Attorney Nichole Carlucci was great to work with and her paralegal Ashley Chadwell was awesome! Highly recommend this team!

- M.F.
"definitely recommend Mr. Porter"
me & my family were a little scared at first but Mr. Porter took care of us and got my case thrown out with no probation or jail time definitely recommend Mr. Porter

- R.M.
"The experience was just wonderful! We would recommend them 10 times over."
My fiancé and I were referred here by a friend. Our lawyer was Nicole Carlucci and paralegal was Danielle Castillo, they were beyond wonderful. Easy to communicate with, always gave us our options and never made us feel pressured. Our relationship with them was very personable and we always felt as if we were their only clients! We seeked their help with regards to child support and time sharing. The experience was just wonderful!!!!! We would recommend them 10 times over.

- Kizgel D.
"They are professional, knowledgeable, and willing to work hard to get the job done."
I have worked with Mr. Lorimier and Ms. Adams and they are both phenomenal. They are professional, knowledgeable, and willing to work hard to get the job done. I highly recommend them both.

- M.F.
"I would recommend them to anyone!"
Thank you to Nicole Carlucci and Ashley Chadwell for guiding me through my case. I would recommend them to anyone!

- M.F.

Read Reviews

Pick Porter!™ Today

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

*Motorcycle accident - $2,835,000
$1,502,500 Premises Liability - $1,502,500
Bodily Injury Claim
*Wrongful Death - $1,000,000
Settled *Estate of Fred Fedorka
Largest settlement ever against Volusia County.
*Medical Malpractice - $500,000

View All Results