Father’s Rights Lawyer Miami
Fathers play an essential role in their children’s lives, but unmarried fathers often face legal challenges when it comes to custody, visitation, and parental rights. Under Florida law, if a child is born to unmarried parents, the mother automatically has full legal custody until the father establishes paternity. Without legal paternity, a father has no enforceable rights to visitation, custody, or decision-making for the child.
At Cruz Legal, P.A., attorney Marisol Cruz is dedicated to helping fathers establish paternity, secure custody rights, fight for fair time-sharing, and ensure a meaningful relationship with their children. Whether you are an unmarried father seeking legal rights or a divorced father facing custody or child support disputes, we provide the legal representation you need to protect your parental rights.
Why Fathers Must Establish Paternity in Florida
If a child is born to unmarried parents, Florida law does not automatically recognize the biological father as the legal father. To obtain legal parental rights, a father must establish paternity through:
- Voluntary Acknowledgment – Both parents sign a legal document recognizing the father’s rights.
- Court-Ordered DNA Testing – If the mother disputes paternity, a DNA test may be required.
- Paternity Lawsuit – A father can file a petition for paternity to obtain legal parental rights.
Until paternity is established, the mother has full legal decision-making authority, and the father has no legal claim to custody or visitation. Filing for paternity is the first step in securing your rights as a father.
What Rights Do Fathers Have in Florida?
Once paternity is established, a father has the same legal rights as the mother, including:
- Time-Sharing (Custody & Visitation) – Fathers can request equal or shared custody and time-sharing.
- Parental Responsibility – Fathers have the right to make decisions regarding their child’s education, healthcare, and upbringing.
- Child Support Determination – Fathers may be responsible for child support, but they also have equal rights in financial decisions affecting their child.
- Protection Against Parental Alienation – Fathers have the right to maintain a meaningful relationship with their children without interference.
If the mother denies access to the child or refuses to acknowledge your parental rights, you may need legal action to enforce custody, time-sharing, and decision-making authority.
Time-Sharing (Visitation) Rights for Fathers
Florida law presumes that equal time-sharing is in the best interest of the child unless evidence proves otherwise. Courts encourage joint parenting so that children maintain strong relationships with both parents.
When determining time-sharing schedules, the court considers:
- The father’s involvement in the child’s life
- Each parent’s ability to provide a stable home
- The child’s emotional, educational, and social needs
- Any history of domestic violence or substance abuse
- The willingness of each parent to co-parent effectively
If you are denied visitation or are seeking more time with your child, we can petition the court to secure a fair time-sharing arrangement.
Can a Father Get Sole Custody?
Yes, if the court determines joint custody is detrimental to the child. Some factors considered are:
- Substance abuse or addiction
- Domestic violence or child abuse
- Severe mental health issues that affect parenting
- Neglect or abandonment of the child
If you believe that shared custody is not in your child’s best interests, we can help you fight for sole parental responsibility to protect your child.
Child Support for Fathers
Once paternity is established, both parents are financially responsible for the child. Many fathers believe that child support is unfairly biased toward mothers, but Florida law considers:
- Each parent’s income
- The time-sharing schedule (overnights with the child)
- The child’s medical and child care expenses
If you’re struggling to pay your court-ordered child support or need to modify child support due to financial changes, we can help ensure that payments are fair and accurate.
Parental Alienation: When Mothers Interfere with Father’s Rights
Some fathers experience parental alienation, where the mother:
- Blocks visitation or time-sharing
- Makes false accusations of abuse
- Refuses to comply with court-ordered custody
- Influences the child to reject the father
Parental alienation is a serious issue, and courts take it into account when determining custody. If you believe you are a victim of parental alienation, we can take legal action to restore your relationship with your child.
Modifying Custody and Time-Sharing Agreements
If circumstances change after custody is established, either parent can request a modification. You may need a modification if:
- The mother is denying you time-sharing rights
- You want more time with your child due to life changes
- The child’s best interests are no longer being met
We help fathers petition the court for custody or time-sharing modifications when significant life changes occur.
Why Hire a Father’s Rights Lawyer in Miami?
Many fathers struggle to obtain fair custody and visitation due to bias, lack of knowledge about their rights, or resistance from the other parent. A Miami father’s rights lawyer can:
- Help you establish paternity and legal rights
- Fight for equal time-sharing and parental responsibility
- Ensure that child support calculations are fair
- Challenge false accusations of abuse or neglect
- Take legal action against parental alienation
At Cruz Legal, P.A., we fight to ensure that fathers receive fair treatment under Florida law and play an active role in their children’s lives.
Why Choose Cruz Legal, P.A.?
Experienced in Father’s Rights Cases
Competent Court Representation
Bilingual Legal Services
Marisol Cruz is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, enabling clear and effective communication with a wide range of clients.
Compassionate, Personalized Approach
Schedule a Consultation with a Miami Father’s Rights Lawyer
If you are a father seeking to establish paternity, fight for custody, enforce visitation rights, or modify child support, Cruz Legal, P.A. is here to help.
Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation with father’s rights lawyer Marisol Cruz.
Let us help you protect your parental rights today!