How do I collect child support if the father is not legally established?

In Florida, if the father is not legally established, you cannot collect child support from him until a paternity test has been performed to determine his legal relationship to the child. This is done by either the father voluntarily signing an Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) form, or by an order from a court of law. If the father does not voluntarily sign the AOP form, then you must file a paternity suit in order to legally establish the paternity of the child. Once paternity is legally established, the court will then order the father to begin paying child support. The court may also order the father to pay back-support and other associated costs. If the father does not pay the court-ordered support, then you can take further legal action against him. This could include wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, or even the suspension of driver’s licenses and other professional licenses. Therefore, in order to collect child support from the father, you must first establish paternity in a court of law.

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How do I collect child support if the father is not legally established?

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