Defending Fathers' Rights in Miami-Dade County

Advocacy for Fathers in Family Law Matters

Florida courts have come a long way in recognizing that when both parents are committed to the best interests and welfare of their children, the law will treat mothers and fathers equally when deciding matters of family law.

The law provides that, in most circumstances, both parents deserve to:

• Have frequent and continuing contact with their children
• Retain a fair portion of assets
• Enjoy reasonable and fair custody and visitation rights

Additionally, the courts now recognize that children are best served by having both parents provide regular, hands-on parenting, and by having both parents involved in making key decisions regarding children’s medical care, education, and other important matters.

Nonetheless, the issue of fathers’ rights remains at the forefront of family law, and fathers remain concerned that they will be at a disadvantage when courts make crucial decisions regarding their post-marriage rights.

If you have questions regarding your rights as a father or need legal representation to protect your parental rights, Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa can help. Whether through negotiation or litigation, our fathers’ rights lawyers in Miami-Dade County are prepared to fight for the favorable outcome you are seeking.

Contact us online or call (305) 853-9161 today for a consultation on fathers' rights.

What Are a Father’s Rights in Miami-Dade County?

Historically, mothers have often had the upper hand in family law cases simply because they were seen as the preferred caretaker. Today, these gender biases have been removed from the law, and courts are expected to give both men and women equal treatment in divorce, custody, and support cases. Unfortunately, old habits die hard, and some men still get the short end of the stick.

Fathers and men going through the divorce or paternity process are often concerned about their rights regarding:

• The establishment of child custody and visitation rights that are fair and reasonable and reflect the father’s wishes
• The arrangement of reasonable, non-excessive child support and spousal support payments
• The protection of their assets in a divorce

Child Custody Advocacy for Fathers in Florida

Child custody is perhaps the greatest concern for fathers. Ingrained gender biases can lead a court to favor a mother in a custody dispute, leaving the perfectly capable father with minimal visitation time. At Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa, our Miami-Dade fathers' rights lawyers fight to protect your rights as a parent and ensure that you have the appropriate amount of custody or visitation time.

Child Support Fairness for Miami-Dade Fathers

Child support goes hand-in-hand with custody matters. If you do not have sole or primary custody of your child, you may be asked to make child support payments to the child’s mother. Child support is important (and it is your child’s right to receive support), but payments should not be overly burdensome or unreasonable. If you feel you are paying too much in child support or that your custody arrangement is unfair, our fathers’ rights attorneys in Miami-Dade can help you fight for a modification. We can build a strong case to prove that your current situation does not reflect you or your child’s best interests.

Establishing Paternity and Fathers' Rights in Miami-Dade

Unless you are married to the mother at the time of a child’s birth, you will not be recognized as the child’s legal father until paternity has been established. Paternity can be established voluntarily at the time of the child’s birth if both the mother and the assumed father agree and the father's name is on the birth certificate.

Whether you believe you are a child’s father and want to assume parental rights, or a mother alleges you are the father of a child, a paternity action can help set the record straight. Our Miami-Dade fathers’ rights attorneys can represent you throughout the paternity action, which may involve a mandatory DNA test.

Ready to assert your parental rights? Schedule a meeting with Orshan, Spann & Fernandez-Mesa by calling (305) 853-9161.