If you are facing a conflict over the paternity of your child, you could benefit from the support of a seasoned child custody attorney. Tensions often run high when it comes to questions of paternity, but that does not mean the process has to be difficult.
A Piscataway paternity lawyer could help you with every stage of establishing paternity. Whether you are a mother seeking clarity or a father pursuing parental rights, now is the time to talk to a lawyer who understands.
Identifying a minor child’s biological father is important for several reasons. Answering these questions not only provides a father with the opportunity to enforce their parental rights, but it also provides benefits for the child and mother as well. Some of the reasons to work with a paternity lawyer in Piscataway include:
The relationship between fathers and children can be an important one. Before this relationship can begin to grow, parental rights must be established. This can only be done through the paternity process.
It is important for everyone to know their family medical history. However, getting a clear picture of this history is impossible without confirming the identity of the child’s father. This information could inform the child of potential genetic traits or risk factors they should be aware of going forward.
Each parent has an obligation to provide for their child financially. By formalizing the identity of both parents, a minor child could then receive the financial support they need through a court order. Paternity also ensures children qualify to inherit from their estate after they pass away.
There are different options when it comes to formally recognizing the father of a minor child. Often, this process can be handled amicably when both parents agree on the identity of the father. In other situations, legal proceedings may become necessary.
First and foremost, there is a presumption that the child of a married woman belongs to her husband. This presumption can be rebutted with evidence that someone else is the father, but more often than not, this presumption stands. For unmarried couples, it is possible to sign a document at the time of the child’s birth where each party acknowledges that they are a parent. When these documents are submitted to the government, paternal rights are officially established without the need for court proceedings or DNA testing.
There are also situations where one or both parties are unable to cooperate. This can happen when there is a dispute over the identity of the father. It is also common in cases where the relationship is so frayed that any form of contact is impossible. In these situations, the court can order a DNA test to sort out these issues. Either parent has the power to file a petition with the court in an effort to establish paternity for a minor child. A paternity attorney in Piscataway could assist with this process.
If you are currently facing a dispute regarding the paternity of a child, now is the time to seek legal help. The outcome of this case is important not only to you but also to any children involved.
You do not have to face this challenge alone. Call a Piscataway paternity lawyer today to get started.