The Good Dad Act is a Florida law designed to enhance the rights of unwed fathers by ensuring they are recognized as natural guardians once paternity is established, giving them equal rights and responsibilities regarding their child. This legislation aims to help unmarried fathers actively participate in their children’s lives and ensure a more balanced approach to time-sharing and child support.
What is the Good Dad Act?
On June 26, 2023, Ron DeSantis, Florida governor, signed the landmark legislation, The Good Dad Act, into law. This had previously been passed by both the House and the Senate. According to Florida’s prior amendment, bonds with both parents are best in children’s lives. Both unwed fathers have fundamentally equal rights or an equal say regarding their children as mothers, including the child’s education, health care, and equal footing regarding custody disputes, as mothers.
Prior to the new law, unwed mothers could legally take children out of Florida without penalty, leaving unmarried fathers with no way to be in their children’s lives without court-ordered custody rights.
The Good Dad Act committee also stressed Florida laws were lax on the definition of being a “legal father.” This new law also includes provisions for the voluntary acknowledgment of parental responsibility for unmarried fathers.
Dr. Bernard Wh Jennings, a Florida Supreme Court Mediator, originally wrote a proposal to the Florida State Legislature claiming unwed Fathers do not have the same legal rights as unwed Mothers. Representative Christopher Benjamin, Esq. then introduced the bill, “Parental Responsibility After Acknowledgement of Paternity,” which was later termed “The Good Dad Act.”
The new law recognizes the role of fathers in the family unit and seeks to give unwed fathers equal footing as the child’s mother, making both parents the natural guardians of the child.
Good Dad Bill Establishes Unmarried Fathers as Natural Guardians in Florida
Under Florida’s previous law, the child’s mother was considered the only natural guardian for unmarried couples. This means that with respect to custody laws for unmarried parents in Florida, unmarried fathers previously had no legal rights to parental responsibility without going to court to receive custody rights.
The new law was championed by the leader of the Biscayne Gardens Chamber of Commerce, after realizing he had essentially no fathers rights in the state of Florida. The advocacy began after like many Florida fathers, the mother moved out of state with the child with no custody agreement, and without notifying him.
Fathers’ Rights Under the Florida Good Dad Act
The Florida Good Dad Bill represents a significant advancement in fathers’ rights in Florida. This landmark legislation ensures that unmarried fathers who establish paternity in Florida have an equal say in the creation and implementation of a parenting plan, allowing them to actively participate in their child’s upbringing. While the father may still face challenges in custody battles, the new law strengthens their position within the family unit, promoting a more balanced and equitable approach to parenting.
Parental Rights for Unwed Fathers Who Establish Paternity
Under the Florida Good Dad Act, unwed fathers who establish paternity gain significant parental rights. This law ensures that unmarried fathers who acknowledge paternity—either through a court order or a voluntary acknowledgment—are recognized as a natural guardian, alongside the mother.
This grants them the right to actively participate in crucial decisions regarding their child’s welfare, such as the child’s education, health, care facilities, and more. The law represents a critical shift in ensuring that unmarried fathers have the opportunity to be actively involved in their children’s lives, even if they are not married.
Custody and Time-Sharing Rights Under the Good Dad Act
The Good Dad Act promotes equitable custody and time-sharing arrangements for unmarried fathers. The new law encourages courts to consider granting both parents equal parenting time unless equal time sharing is determined to be unsuitable.
Our Tampa time sharing attorneys have extensive experience providing legal representation for unwed fathers involved in custody disputes. Our attorneys understand that unmarried fathers face challenges regarding child custody and can help prepare a parenting plan that helps ensure a fair outcome. To learn more about fathers’ rights in Florida, contact our Tampa paternity lawyers.
Parental Responsibility and Child Support Obligations
The Good Dad Bill also outlines responsibilities, particularly regarding child support. Unwed fathers who establish paternity are not only granted fathers’ rights but are also expected to share in the responsibilities of raising their children. This includes contributing to child support based on the custody arrangement. The new law seeks to ensure that both parents are equally involved in the financial and practical aspects of their child’s upbringing.
Contact a Tampa child support lawyer to learn about how experienced legal representation can help in Florida child support cases.
How a Tampa Family Law Attorney Can Help
Our Tampa family law attorney team can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of Florida custody laws and ensuring that fathers’ rights are upheld. Whether you need assistance in developing a fair and comprehensive parenting plan or modifying child custody in Tampa, an experienced attorney can provide the legal expertise and support you need.
