When a child is born to an unmarried couple, the paternity of the child is never assumed and must always be established with the court. Paternity refers to the legal process that identifies a man as the father of a child. In order for a man to be legally recognized as the child’s father, he must sign a voluntary paternity form that acknowledges him as the father.
Either parent can file a petition for paternity. In most paternity cases, one or both parents want a court judgment that establishes who the biological father of the child is. This court order specifies each parent’s respective rights and legal responsibilities with regards to child support, child custody, and visitation rights. It is important to establish paternity because it gives each parent the right to make decisions regarding the child’s education, health care, lifestyle, and overall wellbeing. There are many other reasons why one or both parents would want to establish paternity. These reasons include:
- An unmarried mother seeking child support. A paternity test can determine who the child’s father is, and require him to pay the mother child support.
- A man is financially supporting a child that he believes is not biologically his. A paternity test can establish if he is indeed the biological father of the child.
- A child may wish to establish paternity in order to receive financial support, medical and insurance benefits, inheritances, access to medical records, peace of mind, and the opportunity to form relationships with extended family members.
- Peace of mind
Paternity Disputes
When either parent wishes to dispute a paternity claim, a DNA test can be administered to determine the identity of the biological father. Furthermore, if the mother of the child needs a man to take a paternity test for financial reasons, there are laws in place that require him to take a paternity test.
Pasadena Paternity Attorney
If you are considering filing for paternity, or if you are currently going through the paternity process, it is to your benefit to consult with a skilled Pasadena divorce attorney. The Law Offices of Donald P. Schweitzer has successfully represented countless clients with legal matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, and spousal support. Our experienced legal team is compassionate, dedicated, and resourceful. When we work on our client’s paternity cases, we do everything possible to ensure that their legal matter is handled efficiently and correctly. At the Law Offices of Donald P. Schweitzer, we strive to protect our clients’ rights and fulfill their wishes.
Contact our Pasadena Pre and Post Nuptial Agreement Attorneys today!
|