What is Collaborative Paternity?

Establishing paternity is only the first step in creating a lasting relationship between a parent and child. Issues of custody, visitation, support, and more must all be discussed and negotiated between parents, and collaborative paternity services can help. An experienced Florida family law attorney like those at the law office of Blair H. Chan, III in Tampa Bay can assist with the collaborative paternity process in order to ensure that you, and your child’s, best interests are met through this alternative dispute resolution method. To learn more about collaborative paternity and how it may help in your case, call or contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

What is Collaborative Paternity?

The collaborative paternity process is an alternative dispute resolution method that avoids the traditional litigation process of the courtroom in order to resolve issues surrounding the establishment of paternity. Collaborative paternity typically takes place in an office setting outside of the courtroom, with each parent retaining legal counsel along with a team to help resolve matters of paternity. Team members including financial planners, child psychologists, and parenting experts all participate in the collaborative negotiation of parenting issues. This process focuses on compromise and collaboration between the parents with the assistance of the expert team to create a parenting plan that fits the unique circumstances of each family while keeping the best interests of the child forefront at all times.

Issues that Collaborative Paternity Can Resolve

There are many issues that the collaborative paternity process can help resolve once the legal father of a child is established. First and foremost, collaborative paternity can establish a time sharing schedule between parents, including custody and a visitation schedule. One of the biggest benefits of establishing paternity is the legal right to spend time with your child. Another common issue resolved in collaborative paternity proceedings is child support. This refers to the coverage of the child’s basic expenses as well as other costs associated with the care and upkeep of the child. Which parent covers the child’s health insurance and other coverage can influence the total cost of support paid by one parent to the other for the child’s care.

Collaborative paternity can also address and include other decisions regarding the child’s upbringing and wellbeing that can be included in a comprehensive parenting plan. For example, decisions regarding the child’s schooling, religion, pick up and drop off, extracurriculars, relationships with extended family members, and more can all be addressed, discussed, and decided upon through the use of collaborative paternity methods.

Call or Contact Our Office Now

Have you just established the paternity of your child and are considering the use of collaborative parenting methods or traditional litigation to settle any outstanding issues with your child? If so, a Tampa paternity lawyer at the the law office of Blair H. Chan, III may be able to help. Call the office or contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options using collaborative paternity methods.

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