Paternity Lawyer Serving West Palm Beach, Florida
When a child is born to unmarried parents in Florida, the father has no automatic legal rights, no matter how involved he is in the child’s life. Establishing paternity changes that. It is the legal doorway to time-sharing, decision-making, child support, and a recognized place in your child’s future, and Florida law made that doorway wider in 2023.
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Board Certified
Tina L. Lewert, Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar since 2009
Certified Mediator
Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator.
National Certification
Board Certified in Family Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
Established Practice
Admitted to The Florida Bar since 2000, practicing family law exclusively
Establishing Paternity in West Palm Beach
Paternity in Florida is governed by Chapter 742 of the Florida Statutes, and it can be established several ways. Unmarried parents who agree can sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, often at the hospital shortly after birth. Either parent can rescind that acknowledgment within 60 days; after that window closes, it becomes a final establishment of paternity that can be challenged in court only for fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact. When parents do not agree, either one can file a petition in court under Section 742.011, and the court can order genetic testing to resolve any dispute about biological parentage.
The law changed in an important way on July 1, 2023. A father who establishes paternity, by court order or by a final voluntary acknowledgment, is now a natural guardian of the child with the same parental rights and responsibilities as the mother. Before that change, unmarried fathers often had to take extra legal steps just to reach equal footing.
One point trips up many parents: establishing paternity alone does not create a time-sharing schedule. Parental responsibility, time-sharing, and child support still have to be set through a parenting plan, and Florida’s presumption of equal time-sharing applies to unmarried parents once paternity is in place.
Lewert Law is a Boca Raton family law firm serving parents throughout Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach families in Flamingo Park, Northwood, El Cid, Grandview Heights, and the South of Southern area. Paternity actions for West Palm Beach residents proceed in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, whose Family Division sits at the Main Courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway downtown.
What we handle for West Palm Beach parents:
- Petitions to establish paternity under Chapter 742
- Voluntary acknowledgments of paternity, including advice before you sign
- Genetic testing and disputed parentage cases
- Parenting plans, time-sharing, and parental responsibility after paternity is established
- Child support determinations and enforcement
- Disestablishment of paternity in appropriate cases
- Related name and birth certificate matters
Tina Lewert
Contact Info:
- 301 Yamato Rd #4110, Boca Raton, FL 33431, United States
- 561-544-6861
- tina.lewert@lewertlaw.com
Why West Palm Beach Parents Choose Lewert Law
Paternity cases decide whether the law recognizes your family. That deserves more than a form-filling service.
Certified Expertise, Current Law
Tina L. Lewert is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar, and paternity is a corner of family law where the rules genuinely changed in 2023. Advice based on the old framework can cost a parent rights they now hold. Review Ms. Lewert’s credentials and you will see why parents trust her with cases like this.
Rights-Forward, Not Conflict-Forward
Most paternity cases are not wars. They are parents who need legal recognition and a workable plan. We handle these matters with respect for both parents where cooperation is possible, and we advocate firmly for your relationship with your child where it is not. As a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator, Ms. Lewert brings genuine settlement skill to cases that can be resolved by agreement.
The Whole Picture, Not Just the Test Result
A DNA result is not a parenting plan. We take your case from establishing paternity through child custody and time-sharing, child support, and the practical details of co-parenting, so you finish with an enforceable framework rather than an open question.
What to Expect When You Work With Us
1. A Confidential Consultation
We talk through your situation privately, usually over Zoom: your relationship with the child, the other parent’s position, and what you want to accomplish. You leave knowing your options under current Florida law and what the process will cost.
2. Choosing the Right Path
Some cases call for a voluntary acknowledgment, others for a court petition with genetic testing. We recommend the route that fits your facts and prepare the filings correctly the first time.
3. Establishing the Parenting Framework
Once paternity is established, we pursue the parenting plan, time-sharing schedule, and support order that protect your role in your child’s life. Agreement is often possible; preparation makes it durable.
4. Support After the Order
Life changes, and orders sometimes need to change with it. We remain available for modifications and enforcement as your child grows and circumstances shift.
Reviews for Lewert Law, LLC Deerfield Beach, FL
Virginia Powers
Tina helped me win a relocation case against “the giant”. A case many insisted was a waste of time because I would never win. Tina is up to date on current statues and case law which lists out certain objectives a relocation must meet in order to be granted. I am amazed by her intelligence and ability to interpret law and break it down to me in an elementary manner. Throughout the case, she was always detail oriented, eloquent, ethical and most of all, Tina possesses a sixth sense of what facts to focus on, what is important for the case. She adequately prepared me and herself for each trial day. I can not say enough praise about this amazing lawyer, hopefully I’ll never need her again, but I wouldn’t complain if I do. Tina and her assistant Sharon treated me like family. They were the light during the worst part of my life. I don’t want to share too much about her strategies but this woman is AMAZING at cross examination. She came up with angles I would have never dreamed of. It’s important to trust Tina, she won’t steer you wrong. Don’t forget, while she fights hard for you, it is also important for you to be diligent as well.
David Anthony
I hired Tina Lewert to represent me in my contentious divorce. I had consulted with several other highly rated divorce lawyers in Boca and she just outshined the others from the moment we first spoke. Highly recommend this lawyer to handle your divorce - don't fall for the others who talk a big talk and try to scare you to stir up the drama which stirs up their fees too. Tina was always honest with me about what I could expect, about the law, and the pros and cons, and she explained the law and how it applied to my case better to me than 3 other [supposedly excellent] lawyers combined. She knows what she's doing but she's not pompous about it and she's easy to talk to. Her office and staff are also great and I never had a hard time reaching her. After a very difficult battle with my ex who was completely unreasonable, Tina was able to negotiate a settlement of my case and she did a fantastic job for me. My life is so much better after this divorce and Tina and her firm had a huge hand in that.
David Neale
Ladies and gentlemen in the world of fighting legal battles you pay for what you get! If you’re looking to win ( if that’s actually possible in a legal battle) this is the firm you need to be with. I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with my attorney Tammara Grossman , since 2020, steering me through some real legal and monetary issues with my ex-wife. I have found her to be Professional and ethical, guiding me in the correct direction legally even when I didn’t always like it. The end result was about as best for me as you could possibly get. I’m happy.
Ally Knoph
Tina Lewert instilled in me that there are lawyers in family law that understand unique situations. I had horrible experiences with several lawyers and finding Ms. Lewert was nothing shy of a Godsend. She wholeheartedly understood my situation and was the only lawyer to resolve my 10 year nightmare. I cannot thank Ms. Lewert enough for the freedom she gave me and my son. She has proven to be the absolute best! I highly recommend Tina Lewert, Law for her expertise, honesty and commitment to her clients.
Meredith Chatman
Tina is a wonderful attorney. She guided me through my ugly case and ultimately her wisdom lead me to successful settlement of my case. She wasn’t afraid to advise me of the pros AND cons of my case, and the legal system which can be brutal, and I always felt like she was being straight with me, instead of just telling me what I wanted to hear like another attorney I spoke with. Tina is quick on her feet and I could also tell that she is respected by judges and other attorneys (by the way everyone treated her when we did have to go to court to finalize the divorce once settled). If you need a strong, confident divorce lawyer who also happens to be a good person, hire Tina Lewert.
Common Questions About Paternity in Florida
Make Your Place in Your Child's Life Official
The relationship is already real. The law should recognize it, protect it, and give it structure that no disagreement can erase. Establishing paternity is how that happens, and the process is more straightforward with a specialist who has guided many parents through it.
Call (561) 544-6861 or reach out online to get started.
Your consultation is confidential and judgment-free.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Florida paternity law and is not legal advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Lewert Law, LLC. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. For advice about your situation, schedule a confidential consultation. Lewert Law, LLC is located at 301 Yamato Road, Suite 4110, Boca Raton, FL 33431 and serves clients throughout Palm Beach and Broward counties.