Paternity Lawyer Archives - Wagstaff and Pitelis, P.A.

Legitimizing Paternity in Florida

It is often surprising to fathers who have a child out of wedlock that the State of Florida does not automatically grant them any rights, even if they are named as the father on the birth certificate. When a child is born out of wedlock, the mother is the guardian and has legal custody. That…

Disestablishing Paternity in Florida

Paternity comes with certain rights and responsibilities. It also makes the assumption that you are the father of the child or children and involved in their lives in a positive and meaningful way. Sometimes, however, there are situations which may benefit from the disestablishment of paternity. If you wish to contest paternity or go through…

Considerations When Establishing Paternity

Although it is assumed that when a couple is married that the father of any children born during the marriage are the biological children of that man, this may not always be the case. If the mother engaged in an affair that led to the pregnancy, the father may be in question. However, if you…

So Much More Than Just a Divorce Attorney

It is true that Wagstaff Law Office handles divorce settlements for our clients, but we also offer many other services. Sometimes families come to us with exciting news of a pending adoption; other times a parent or relative approaches us with a request for assistance with a custody issue. Whether you are choosing a divorce…

Frequently Asked Paternity Questions

Establishing or disestablishing paternity can be complicated. As paternity lawyers, we receive many inquiries from both mothers and fathers about paternity issues. Here are some of the most common questions we receive and the answers. Can the Court Order Me to Take a Paternity Test? There are a few cases where you may be ordered…

Understanding Adoption in Florida

Whether you’re in Florida or somewhere else, adoption is a legal process. The type of adoption you are looking to pursue will determine whether you need an adoption attorney or if a notary will suffice. In most adoption situations, you want an attorney. They understand the proper procedures which help to avoid disappointment and heartbreak.…

3 Ways a Mediator Can Help You with Your Co-Parenting Plan

Are you getting ready to discuss a co-parenting plan with your ex-spouse? In many cases, the assistance of a mediator can help your entire family reach the best resolution. Mediators protect the interests of each family member and provide insight throughout the mediation process. Here are a few ways a dedicated mediation expert may be…

Tips for a Civil Co-Parenting Relationship

While your relationship with your former spouse changes after the end of your marriage, any children you had together still love both of you as their parents. It can be difficult to adapt to a new lifestyle and a new way of communicating with each other after the divorce, for you and your kids. With…

Is it Too Late to Establish Paternity?

In today’s world, there are many types of relationships and dynamics involved; as a result, it’s often beneficial to establish paternity. Although this is typically done when your baby is born, there are other ways to accomplish this after the baby’s birth. Why Establish Paternity? As the father of the baby, confirmation of paternity and…

Five Reasons to Establish Paternity

Sometimes there’s no question as to the parentage of a minor child and both parties acknowledge it. Other times it’s not so clear-cut. If you’re wondering if you should pursue the issue of establishing paternity, here are five reasons you should. Social Security and Veteran’s Benefits This benefits the child in the event of the…