Establishing paternity is the legal process of determining and confirming the identity of the biological father of a child. This may be necessary in situations where parents are not married at the time that their child is born or when there is doubt about the identity of the child’s father. Paternity can be established in several different ways, including through an agreement between the parents or through a court order following genetic testing.

Establishing paternity can provide a number of benefits for fathers, mothers, and children. An attorney with experience in family law can provide guidance on the best steps to take to establish paternity while also addressing other legal concerns that may affect the parents and the child.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities

One significant benefit of establishing paternity is that it ensures that both parents will be able to maintain parental rights and share in the responsibilities of raising their child. Once paternity is established, a father will have the right to seek a child custody agreement that will allow him to have regular physical placement (visitation) with the child while also participating in important decisions about how the child will be raised. Paternity also ensures that both parents will be required to financially support their child, and it will allow child support orders to be put in place.