Florida's "Good Dad" Law
Men ― if you have a child/children with a person who is NOT your spouse, this is critically important. In the last week, I have had 2 cases where the mother has left the state with her significant other child without consent or permission from either the father or the court.
What Can Be Done to Force the Return of the Child?
NOTHING!
“But I signed the birth certificate.” That does NOT establish your rights! To do so, you must establish paternity, which, before July 2023, required filing a paternity action in circuit court. However, with the passage of the “good dad” law, establishing paternity is much easier, less time-consuming, and does not have to result in a court case.
I would highly encourage all men with children born out of marriage to contact us and let us walk you through the process regardless of how blissful your situation is/seems right now (if you do not, and the other parent relocates with the child, the court can NOT order the return of the child)!
I would highly encourage all men with children born out of marriage to contact us and let us walk you through the process regardless of how blissful your situation is/seems right now. If you do not, and the other parent relocates with the child, the court cannot order the child’s return!
