In the state of Florida, if the mother is married at the time of birth, the husband is the legal father of the child. However, many women aren't married when their child is born. In these instances, the mother, the father, or both parents may want to establish paternity so that they can pursue their legal rights through the Florida courts. At Owenby Law, P.A., we help mothers and fathers establish paternity.
Whether you are a mother or father looking to establish paternity, you can turn to the Jacksonville paternity attorneys at Owenby Law, P.A. for guidance. Our firm has helped thousands of families over the years, so you can trust that your case will be in good hands. Not only can we help you establish paternity, but we can also assist you in asserting your parental rights. Contact us today for more information.
Marriage: The husband is considered the legal father when parents are married at the time of the child's birth.
Legitimation: The father and mother are married after the birth of the child and update the birth record.
Administrative order based on genetic testing: Paternity is ordered if a DNA test determines who the father is.
Establishing paternity through a court order: A judge can order paternity in court in some instances.
Acknowledgement of paternity: An unmarried couple can declare paternity by signing a document after the birth.
Accuracy of DNA Paternity Tests
Paternity testing determines whether or not a particular man is the biological father of a particular child. The test involves collecting and examining the DNA of a small sample of bodily fluid or tissue from the child and the potential father.
By analyzing the DNA from the child and the potential father, a paternity test can confirm or disprove if the man is the biological father of the child.
DNA testing is generally considered to be the most accurate testing method available for this purpose. It can show that a man is likely to be a child’s father with 99.9% accuracy, or that he is excluded as being the father with 100% accuracy.
The Benefits of Establishing Paternity
As a mother, identifying your child's biological father gives you the ability to obtain a child support order from the courts. Similarly, as the biological father of a child, you would have the right to seek visitation and exercise your right to participate in decisions regarding the child's education, medical care, residence, etc.
In addition, certain work or governmental benefits that may not have been previously available may now be extended to the father's child.
Once your child’s paternity has been established, our firm can also assist you with matters regarding visitation rights, child support, child custody agreements, birth certificate changes, name changes, and more. Let Owenby Law, P.A. help you assert your rights by learning more about the options available in your case.
What If a Father Refuses to Participate in Paternity Testing?
If a father refuses to participate in paternity testing in Florida, the legal process can still proceed. The court has the authority to issue a court order compelling the alleged father to undergo genetic testing. If the father continues to refuse, despite the court order, he may face various consequences. These consequences can include the court ruling him as the legal father by default based on other evidence or testimony available, such as the mother's testimony or circumstantial evidence.
Additionally, persistent refusal to comply with a court order can lead to legal penalties, such as being held in contempt of court. In such cases, the court may impose fines, revoke certain privileges, or even order jail time until the father complies with the testing order. Ultimately, the legal system in Florida is designed to ensure that the best interests of the child are protected.
What if the Mother is Married to Someone Other than the Biological Father?
If the mother is married to someone other than the biological father at the time of the child's birth, Florida law presumes that the husband is the legal father of the child. However, this presumption can be rebutted through legal proceedings. The biological father can petition the court for paternity testing to establish his rights and responsibilities regarding the child, including custody, visitation, and child support.
Our Approach to Sensitive Paternity Cases
Paternity disputes are often deeply personal, touching on relationships, family identity, and long-term financial obligations. Owenby Law, P.A. approaches every case with that reality in mind. Our attorneys:
Explain the legal process and realistic timelines clearly, without unnecessary legal jargon
Help clients gather and present the evidence Florida courts require, from genetic testing results to documentation of parental involvement
Advocate assertively whether you are seeking to establish your rights as a father or holding a father accountable for support
Stay engaged and responsive throughout a process that can otherwise feel impersonal and bureaucratic
Clients often tell us that what set our firm apart was simply feeling heard and informed at every stage — a standard we hold to in paternity cases just as much as in divorce or custody matters.
Why Jacksonville Families Choose Owenby Law, P.A. for Paternity Matters
Paternity cases carry weight far beyond a single DNA test — they determine a child's legal relationship with a parent for life, and they open the door to custody, time-sharing, and financial support rights that can shape a family for years to come. Owenby Law, P.A. has guided thousands of Florida mothers and fathers through this process, and our reputation reflects it. Our firm has been recognized with honors including:
Lead Counsel Rated
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Avvo Client's Choice Award
Inc. 5000
Law Firm 500
American Jurist Institute Top 10 Attorneys
Our paternity team is led by attorneys who understand both sides of these cases — the mother seeking accountability and support, and the father seeking recognition of his parental rights. Senior Attorney Joy Owenby's background as former counsel for the Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program gives our firm a particularly informed perspective on how paternity determinations affect a child's stability and well-being, not just the legal paperwork involved.
With Tawny Rountree, Amanda Meyer, Dustin Nemati, Emily Cochran, and Kevin Blaesser rounding out our family law team, clients benefit from a firm-wide depth of experience rather than the judgment of a single attorney.
Call Now for Your Free Case Review
Owenby Law, P.A. has helped mothers and fathers throughout Florida establish paternity. In fact, we have handled thousands of cases over the years. Whether you are trying to establish your legal rights as a father, or you are a mother who is attempting to make the father of your child live up to his legal responsibilities, our legal team can help, no matter how complicated your case may seem.
Do you need help with a paternity matter in Florida? Call Owenby Law, P.A. at } for guidance.
