Full question:
My girlfriend has a child who is two months old. She has been living separately from her husband ever since she got pregnant due to some differences between them. However, they never filed for a divorce. After the birth of the child, I wilfully stated myself as the child’s parent hiding from the authorities about the child’s biological father. Will I be liable if I am caught for the false statement of paternity if a paternity action is brought by the parent?
- Category: Paternity
- Date:
- State: Florida
Answer:
A paternity action is a legal process to establish the rights and responsibilities of parents regarding children born out of wedlock. In Florida, any woman who is pregnant or has a child, or any man who believes he is the father, can initiate proceedings to determine paternity if it has not been legally established.
According to Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 742.108), if you knowingly provide false information about paternity to law enforcement or government agencies, particularly in connection with public assistance for a dependent child, you commit a second-degree misdemeanor. This is punishable under Florida law, and you may also face additional civil or criminal penalties for perjury or making false statements.
Therefore, if you are caught providing false information about paternity, you could be liable for a second-degree misdemeanor and face further legal consequences.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.