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Legal Information: Florida

Custody

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Updated: 
October 6, 2023

If a child is living with the putative father, can he get temporary custody (parental responsibility) of the child?

A “putative father,” which is a man who believes he is the father but cannot prove it because the mother is absent, who is caring for a child whom he believes is his, may file a petition to determine paternity. He can also ask the judge to issue an order that establishes a temporary legal custody relationship between him and the child during the proceeding. The court will likely order a DNA test1 and then enter an order creating a legal relationship between the father and the child, award child support, if applicable, and time-sharing for the mother, if applicable.

1 F.S.A. § 742.12

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