Can a father be ordered to take a paternity test?

Yes, a father can be ordered to take a paternity test in Florida. If paternity is in question, the court may order a man to take a paternity test to determine whether he is the biological father of a child. These orders are generally issued at the request of the mother or the father, or by a petitioner. In Florida, a man can challenge paternity up to three years after a child is born, and the mother can make this challenge as well. If the court orders a paternity test, the specimen will be collected from both the mother and purported father and analyzed by a lab. The test results will then be submitted to the court. If the paternity test reveals that the man is the biological father of the child, he may be obligated by the court to financially support the child, including by providing medical insurance coverage. The court may also determine custody and visitation rights and require the father to pay child support. The court may order a paternity test if the father of a child is unclear, or if there is a dispute. A paternity test can help provide answers on who the father is, and allow both parents to legally move forward with the child’s support and visitation rights.

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Can a father be ordered to take a paternity test?

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