PATERNITY LAW ATTORNEYS

Paternity law comes into play when a child’s paternity is questioned or denied. The mother of the child may file a paternity lawsuit against who she claims is the father in order to receive child support. 

Each state has their own means for establishing paternity. They can legally establish it in two ways. These are voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or state-established paternity. Voluntary acknowledgement is exactly as it sounds, while state-established paternity is often conducted through genetic testing. 

A paternity suit generally begins when either parent seeks to establish paternity by filing a request through the court.

There are many ways that courts can establish paternity. The most promising of these is DNA or genetic testing. This can be as simple as testing the blood of the alleged father and the child. These types of tests are the most accurate way of determining parenthood. However, they are generally only performed when one party denies paternity of the child. 

Another obvious way to determine paternity is to look at the birth certificate. Whoever’s name appears on the child’s birth certificate is acknowledged as the father. 

Paternity can also be established by a judge. By order of a paternity action, the court will examine any extrinsic evidence, including a DNA test, to establish paternity.

Circumstantial evidence can also be used to establish paternity. This may be that the man was married to the woman at the time of the child’s conception or birth. It could also be considered circumstantial evidence If a man publicly identifies himself as the child’s father.

There are several different types of paternity, whether it is voluntary or involuntary. These are acknowledged, alleged, and presumed paternity. There are also paternity laws as they apply to the stepfather or equitable parent.