Ten years later.paternity summons in FL

1) its possible that she applied for government support. One of the issues with that is that she is required to list all *possible* fathers.
2) no, sorry. If you thought it was yours, the burden of proof was yours for the last 10 years.
3) No, you cannot.
4) your current girlfriend has nothing to do with the proceeding and is insulated by design.

Sounds about right.I was given the impression - by her that I was NOT the father and that I couldn't be the father<unprintable> That's unfortunate.Even as current sole means of support? If so then that at least is a load off our minds.

Sure - that sucks. But the fact of the matter is that it has been your right to challenge paternity yourself, regardless of what she said. As far as the court is concerned, ignorance is no excuse (works against you sometimes)

It is, but sometimes that's the downside of old relationships... They come back and bite you in the butt.

If you turn out to be the father, you will be assessed support at the minimal level for the state of action. The fact that you do not work will not affect that at all. Your partner's income will not factor into the support assessment. You can probably google the minimal amount of support for the state that the child lives in (not sure if they or you are in FL...)

Its certainly a sucky situation. How many of us have wondered if we would ever get that call? I know I have. I've had a bit of a past and it wouldn't be the first time something has sneaked up on me.

To add to steve:

Yes, your current girlfriend will not be responsible for paying the child support just because you live together.

EDIT: Almost forgot to click 'submit' and when I came back, steve had already explained this!

GreatI should have known better than to think with my dipstick.We're both in Florida, just different counties.The thing that kills me is that if she was so bloody concerned with this, where was she ten years ago when she could have easily contacted me? Heck her sister was on probation at the same time I was and TOOK me to some of my appointments! I'm trying hard not to be spiteful, but man I can't get DNA tested fast enough.

I'm confused about another point.
If, as has been stated here, my girlfriend can't be held responsible for my debt, (thankfully FL is not a common law state) why am I unable to qualify for pro-bono representation? I was denied service because she makes more than the limit and allows me to live with her. I was told that it was based on "household" income. I'm not legally her dependent, she can't claim me on her taxes, according to my understanding - what's her's is her's and vice versa, so why am I denied assistance? It's only through her good graces that I'm not homeless and hungry on the street.

Different rules for different departments.

This isn't to say that you will skate by with a minimal payment. The actual law says you can be held responsible for what you could potentially make if you were willfully un or under employed.

Many states will factor in household income into a calculation but florida is not one of them. No state will hold HER liable for your debt. The worst that can happen is that YOUR payment is higher because she is supporting you. But again, not in FL.

Florida Guideline:
(a) Salary or wages, bonuses, commissions, allowances, overtime, tips, and other similar payments, business income from sources such as self-employment, partnership, close corporations, and independent contracts (minus ordinary and necessary expenses required to produce income), disability benefits, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation. Pension, retirement, or annuity payments, social security benefits, spousal support received from a previous marriage or court ordered in the marriage before the court, interest and dividends, rental income (which is gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses required to produce the income), income from royalties, trusts, or estates, reimbursed expenses or in kind payments to the extent that they reduce living expenses, gains derived from dealings in property (unless the gain is nonrecurring).

(b) Income on a monthly basis shall be imputed to an unemployed or underemployed parent when such employment or underemployment is found to be voluntary on that parent's part, absent physical or mental incapacity or other circumstances over which the parent has no control. In the event of such voluntary unemployment or underemployment, the employment potential and probable earnings level of the parent shall be determined based upon his or her recent work history, occupational qualifications, and prevailing earnings level in the community; however, the court may refuse to impute income to a primary residential parent if the court finds it necessary for the parent to stay home with the child.

It feels like they'd prefer I be homeless

Sure - the math is easier that way.