Child Support When the Father Lives Out of State

by Susan from Orlando, Florida, Orange County

Child Support When the Father Lives Out of State:

How do I initiate child support when the father lives out of state?

My child was born 2 weeks ago.

The father moved to New York 2 weeks prior to that and has refused me a forwarding address.

I am interested in establishing paternity and filing for child support and need to know what steps I need to take please.

I have his name, date of birth, phone number, previous addresses and last place of employment.

Answer to Florida Child Support Question

Dear Susan,

You will need to file a Petition to Determine Paternity and for Related Relief, Form 12.983(a) and the corresponding forms.

In your case, you will need to attempt to have the father properly served even if he is not in Florida.

Read the instructions to the Affidavit Of Diligent Search, Form 12.913(c).

Here you will find the procedure for attempting process and how to file constructive service.

If constructive service is used, read the instructions for the Affidavit of Diligent Search and Inquiry and try to seek legal advice for how to proceed.

Notice: We provide these answers to the general public and our website visitors as a means to further their online legal research. These answers are merely suggestions and should not be regarded as legal advice.

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Our Self Help Guide, Modifying Child Support in Florida, helps you navigate the court process and procedures once you file your documents with easy to follow checklists, links to websites, important addresses & phone numbers, and much more. Modifying Child Support In Florida

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