Paternity and Parenting Matters
For unmarried parents, establishing legal parentage is often only the beginning. A paternity case may also determine parental responsibility, timesharing, decision-making authority, child support, and the parenting plan that will govern the family moving forward.
Victims’ Safe Harbor Foundation represents clients in select Florida paternity and parenting matters, including cases involving domestic violence, coercive control, safety concerns, or significant conflict between the parents. Our attorneys help clients understand the legal process, identify the issues that must be resolved, develop appropriate parenting proposals, and prepare the evidence necessary to present their position to the court.
Our paternity and parenting services may include:
- Establishing or contesting legal paternity
- Addressing requests for scientific paternity testing
- Developing parenting plans and timesharing schedules
- Determining parental responsibility and decision-making authority
- Establishing child support and addressing related child expenses
- Seeking temporary relief while the case is pending
- Addressing domestic violence, coercive control, and child safety concerns
- Modifying or enforcing existing paternity and parenting orders
- Addressing relocation involving unmarried parents
- Conducting discovery and developing evidence
- Preparing for mediation, evidentiary hearings, or trial
Paternity cases can have long-term consequences for parents and children. Our goal is to provide clear guidance, careful preparation, and strategic advocacy while keeping the child’s safety, stability, and best interests at the center of the case.
Understanding Our Services and Fees
Victims’ Safe Harbor Foundation is a 501(c)(3) social impact organization. However, VSHF is not currently grant-funded and does not provide free legal representation. Clients are responsible for their legal fees and litigation costs.
Our hourly rates are generally lower than those charged by many private law firms. Direct representation requires an initial retainer and a minimum balance in the client’s trust account. The required amounts are determined by an attorney after reviewing the facts, complexity, and anticipated needs of the case.
