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 Jason K.S. Porter, P.A. 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 Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., 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 Jason K.S. Porter, P.A., 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.

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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.

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"I will definitely be using them again if I ever need to!"
First off let me say how much I love this law firm!!! My boyfriend was referred by a friend and I'm glad we listened! This was the first time we ever needed a lawyer and Richard Watson was INCREDIBLE! He knows his stuff and he doesn't settle for anything less than what we deserved! We loved talking to Bonnie when we called she was always so cheerful and helpful! I recommend YOU to choose this office!!!!!! I promise you won't be disappointed !!!! I will definitely be using them again if I ever need to!

- Sara B.
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I have had several cases with Mr. Porter as my attorney. He went to bat for me and fought hard to get a great outcome every time! He is a top-notch attorney in Jacksonville and very professional & honest when dealing with each scenario of my cases. My life is in a much better place today because of Jason's integrity within the community and relationships with the judges & state attorneys.

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My divorce litigated for close to two years as it was highly contentious and involved more complexities. Ms. Carlucci did a wonderful job of helping me understand and navigate the legal system. Ms. Carlucci set realistic expectations and was willing to listen to my concerns, questions, and thoughts. Divorce can be a very grueling and hard process. Ms. Carlucci provides great support and promotes collaboration with her clients.

- Former Client
"Jason is the best lawyer in Jacksonville."
Jason is the best lawyer in Jacksonville. I have had the pleasure of having him represent a family member and his work was above and beyond what any other attorney would have done. He will work with you where ever he can to get the best outcome. You can trust what he says. Very high ethics .I have called him my Perry Mason, and I really mean it. If you want THE BEST trust Jason Porter, he's real.

- Carla B.
"The best attorney out there by far!"
I was rear-ended in an auto accident when I was pregnant and Mr. Porter assured me he would take care of everything and he did. I was very pleased with the response and the time he put into my case and how quickly it was settled. The office staff is the best. They are very outgoing and kind and they are always friendly! If your looking for an amazing attorney look no further. I know that in the future if I will need an attorney I will not hesitate to use The Law Offices of Jason K. Porter. They will not let you down.

- Jessica Oyoque
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Jason Porter and Nicole Carlucci are the best attorneys in Jax Beach! Listen, no one wants to hire an attorney, but if you need one- these are the people to call. I was able to schedule a same-day appointment and they were professional, courteous, and provided an excellent outcome to my case. 10/10 recommend- especially if you don’t want to leave the beach!

- K.M.
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Jason and his firm came highly recommended by my family member. My son's case would have eventually ended up with negative consequences if not for Jonathan Thatcher. Jonathan was supportive, knowledgeable and kept us informed at all stages of the case. Great firm and appreciate all your hard work in the success of my son's case. I would use this firm again and again.

- Kim J.
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He represented me on a VOP case this year. HE, I and the prosecutor knew it was some bull basically. I was a week away from completing my 10 yrs of probation when they tried to Violate me. Mr porter told me before I even made him my lawyer that he would get this case handled in my favor and that’s exactly what he did ! And got it done in a reasonable time without me having to travel back to Florida being that I was living in NJ ! I can’t thank him enough and highly recommend him!

- L.H.

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