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Securing child support is essential for many single parents trying to provide financial stability for their children. But what happens when the child’s father cannot be located? Whether he’s avoiding responsibility or his whereabouts are simply unknown, the situation can feel frustrating and overwhelming. The good news is that Florida law provides legal remedies for pursuing child support—even when the father is absent.
At Orlando Family Team, we are committed to helping parents navigate complex child support issues, including establishing paternity and securing orders when the other parent cannot be found.
Step 1: Establishing Paternity
Before child support can be enforced, legal paternity must be established. If the father was not married to the mother at the time of the child’s birth, paternity is not automatically recognized under Florida law. In such cases, paternity must be legally established through:
- Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity: Both parents sign a legal form acknowledging the father’s identity.
- Genetic Testing: If the father denies paternity or cannot be located, the court can order DNA testing once the alleged father is served.
- Court-Ordered Paternity Action: A mother may file a petition in court to establish paternity.
Without paternity, no child support obligation can be enforced. Learn more about this requirement under Florida Statute § 742.10.
Step 2: Locating the Father
If the father cannot be found, the process becomes more complex—but not impossible. The Florida Department of Revenue (DOR), which handles child support enforcement, has tools and resources to help locate absent parents.
How the State Can Help
The DOR can use the following tools to locate the missing parent:
- Employment and wage records
- State and federal tax filings
- Driver’s license and vehicle registration databases
- Credit bureau reports
- Military and veterans records
- Utility bills and public assistance records
These data sources are often used in combination with skip tracing techniques, which are common in debt collection and law enforcement efforts.
You can initiate this process by opening a child support case with the Florida Child Support Program. More information is available on the Florida Department of Revenue’s website.
Step 3: Serving the Father with Legal Documents
Once the father is located, he must be legally served with notice of the paternity and/or child support proceedings. If you can’t locate him through traditional means, the court may allow “service by publication”—a legal process that allows notice to be published in a local newspaper as a last resort.
Service by publication is only approved when you can demonstrate that you’ve made diligent, documented efforts to find the other party. These efforts might include:
- Attempting service at last known addresses
- Contacting known relatives or employers
- Searching public databases or social media
- Hiring a private investigator
Once publication requirements are met, the court may move forward with a default judgment if the father still doesn’t respond.
What Happens After a Default Judgment?
If the father fails to appear in court after being served, the judge may enter a default order that:
- Establishes paternity (if applicable)
- Sets the child support amount based on available financial information
- Requires ongoing and back payments
Once the order is issued, it becomes legally binding, and the court can begin enforcing support obligations.
Enforcement Options After a Child Support Order
Even if the father tries to disappear again, Florida offers several methods for collecting unpaid support, including:
- Income withholding (wage garnishment)
- Intercepting tax refunds or lottery winnings
- Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
- Placing liens on property
- Passport denial or revocation
These enforcement tools are powerful and often effective at collecting support—even across state lines, thanks to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).
Why You Shouldn’t Delay
Even though Florida does not impose a statute of limitations on collecting back child support once it’s owed, there is a statute of limitations on retroactive child support. Under Florida Statute § 61.30(17), a court can only award retroactive support up to 24 months prior to the filing date—so it’s essential to act promptly.
Working with a Family Law Attorney
When you’re trying to provide for your child, delays in support can have a real impact. An experienced attorney can help:
- Prepare and file your petition
- Coordinate with the Florida DOR
- Demonstrate diligent efforts to locate the father
- Guide you through service by publication
- Represent you in court and enforcement proceedings
Orlando Family Team Is Here to Help
At Orlando Family Team, we know how complicated child support issues can become—especially when one parent refuses to participate. If the father of your child is missing or uncooperative, we’ll work with you every step of the way to establish paternity, locate the other parent, and secure the financial support your child deserves.
Don’t give up. Contact Orlando Family Team today to schedule a consultation and explore your options.
