T.J. v. Department of Children & Families

T.J., the putative father of D.G., appeals an order establishing his paternity as to the minor child and adjudicating the child dependent as to him on the ground of abandonment. T.J. seeks reversal of the adjudication of paternity, arguing, among other things, that the trial court applied an incorrect “preponderance of the evidence” burden of proof. We reverse.

Chapter 742, Florida Statutes, is the primary vehicle for the establishment of paternity. See § 742.10(1), Fla. Stat. (2002); P.N.V. v. Wash, exrel. T.R.D., 654 So.2d 1274, 1275 (Fla. 2d DCA 1995). Under chapter 742, paternity must be…