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Professional Athlete Paternity/Child Support

Family Law Attorneys Advising Residents of Miami

Although paternity and child support laws are not different for professional athletes or those in relationships with them, such cases often involve complex and sensitive legal issues. These may require the advice of an experienced family law attorney familiar with them. For example, professional athletes generally perform under personalized contracts with numerous provisions relating to bonuses and income, which may or may not be guaranteed. Potentially significant changes in income may lead to the need for subsequent modification of child support obligations in the future. The family law lawyers at the Law Offices of Sandy T. Fox, P.A. can help residents of Miami and the surrounding cities who are dealing with these complicated issues. We have the resources and knowledge needed to protect the interests of professional athletes or those sharing children with them. Sandy T. Fox has been involved in cases involving NFL players and can also handle child support cases involving other sports, such as the NBA.

Establishing Paternity

Under Florida law, both parents are responsible for supporting their minor children financially. However, before the court can impose an obligation of child support on an individual, the paternity of the child must be determined. Paternity may be established by any the following:

  • The child is born or conceived while the parties are married;
  • The parents are named on the birth certificate;
  • The parent signs a paternity affidavit or acknowledgment; or
  • Paternity is determined by a court or other administrative proceeding.

A paternity action is a proceeding to formally establish a legal parental relationship between the father and child. A petition to contest paternity may also be filed by the mother, the child, or another man alleging that he is the father. A man may also seek to disestablish paternity by filing a petition with the court.

Determining and Modifying Child Support

A petition for child support may be filed by a Florida resident or requested during a paternity or divorce proceeding. Although the statutory child support guideline establishes the presumptive starting point, the court will consider several enumerated factors in determining the initial or modified amount of the child support obligation, including the needs, age, and standard of living of the child as well as the financial situation and earning capacity of each parent.

Modification of child support amounts may be either temporary or permanent. However, they may be only be modified if the child reaches the age of majority, is emancipated, marries, or joins the armed services, or if it is in the best interests of the child to do so, or if there is a substantial change in the circumstances of a parent. The change in circumstances of the parent must generally be significant, permanent, and involuntary. Since the nature of child support determinations is fact-specific, it is important to discuss your situation with an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney who can explain your legal options.

Consult a South Florida Lawyer for Guidance during a Divorce

At the Law Offices of Sandy T. Fox, P.A., our divorce attorneys understand the nuances of family law as they pertain to South Florida athletes. A Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in Marital & Family Law, Sandy T. Fox is among the few attorneys in Florida with this distinction. To discuss your case with one of our seasoned attorneys, schedule a consultation by contacting the Law Offices of Sandy T. Fox, P.A. by phone at 800.596.0579 or online. We represent individuals in Aventura, Hollywood, and other communities throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.