Legal Clarity on Parentage and Parental Rights

Lock In Paternity Services in Fort Lauderdale

You need to establish or contest legal paternity, and the outcome will affect custody, support, and parental rights for years to come. Fort Lauderdale family courts handle paternity cases that require DNA testing coordination, rights determination, and filings that comply with Broward County procedures. Golburgh Law represents clients seeking to prove fatherhood or challenge inaccurate paternity claims in Fort Lauderdale.

Paternity cases arise in various contexts: unmarried parents seeking custody, men contesting support obligations, or mothers pursuing financial responsibility from biological fathers. Florida law allows fathers to voluntarily acknowledge paternity or contest it through court proceedings. Once paternity is established, it triggers legal obligations and rights related to custody, visitation, and child support.

Get guidance on your paternity case in Fort Lauderdale today.

Why Choose Us

You'll begin by discussing your relationship to the child, any existing acknowledgments, and your goals for custody or support. Fort Lauderdale courts require specific documentation, including birth certificates, genetic testing results, and affidavits, all of which must be filed within statutory deadlines.

Golburgh Law coordinates DNA testing through accredited labs, ensuring results are admissible in court. Testing typically takes two to three weeks, and results are conclusive in establishing or disproving biological parentage. We also prepare petitions for custody, timesharing, and support that align with your paternity outcome and the child's best interests.

Our team handles contested cases where paternity is disputed, including situations involving multiple potential fathers, prior acknowledgments, or fraud allegations. We also assist with post-establishment modifications when circumstances change.

Paternity cases involve unique procedural and emotional considerations. Here are answers to the most common questions we receive from Fort Lauderdale clients.

How Our Process Works

Court-approved DNA tests are over 99% accurate in establishing paternity. Results are legally binding and accepted by Florida family courts without further proof.
How accurate is DNA testing?
Yes, but timing matters. Florida law allows challenges within specific deadlines, especially if you can prove fraud, duress, or mistaken identity. Fort Lauderdale courts evaluate these claims carefully.
Can I contest paternity after signing the birth certificate?
The court can order genetic testing. Refusal may result in a default judgment establishing paternity based on other evidence and testimony.
What happens if the father refuses testing?
No, custody and timesharing are separate matters. Establishing paternity gives you legal standing to seek custody, but the court decides based on the child's best interests.
Does paternity automatically grant custody?
Uncontested cases with voluntary testing can be resolved in a few months. Contested cases involving disputes or fraud allegations may take six months to a year.
How long does a paternity case take?

Establishing or contesting paternity shapes your legal relationship with your child and your financial responsibilities. Golburgh Law provides focused representation rooted in Fort Lauderdale's family court requirements and local testing procedures. Secure your consultation now to protect your parental rights.