When a child is born to two heterosexual married parents, the state assumes the male parent is the child’s biological father unless one or both parents specifically contest that assumption. Establishing legal paternity is more complicated when a child is born to unmarried parents, especially when the person whom the mother thinks is their child’s father does not believe himself to be.
When you need help proving someone is or is not your child’s father, or that you are or are not the father of someone else’s child, you should speak with a Syracuse paternity lawyer. This type of legal proceeding is challenging on both procedural and personal levels, and representation from a skilled family attorney could make a significant difference in how efficiently you can progress through it.
Whomever the state believes to be the biological father of a child will be listed on that child’s birth certificate, either when it is first created or at a later point. A child with a legally established father can receive health insurance coverage from both parents, information about their family’s medical history, and financial support from their father when he and their mother live separately.
Proving paternity can also be a means of establishing that a child’s biological father wants to be part of their child’s life and support them in a meaningful way. No matter the rationale, a qualified attorney could provide vital help through the legal process of proving paternity in Syracuse.
Parents who are unmarried can complete an Acknowledgement of Paternity form at the hospital immediately after their child is born or at their local birth registrar or child support office when they agree on the identity of the child’s father. When a child’s mother wants to prove someone else is her child’s father, and he does not agree, the mother must file a paternity action with the Court, which can then order biological testing.
Testing can be performed before or after a child’s birth through various methods, each of which may have different physical requirements and financial costs. Science is effective at determining paternity with 99.9 percent certainty through virtually any type of commonly provided test.
When biological testing proves a specific person is the father of the child in question following a paternity action, the Court can then formally acknowledge that person as the child’s father and impose on them all the same responsibilities any child’s father would have, including child support requirements. A paternity lawyer in Syracuse could go into further detail about how this process works during a complimentary consultation.
Taking legal action to prove a father’s identity when he wants to deny his role in your child’s life can be intimidating, as can the prospect of contesting an allegation made by someone whose child you did not father. In both scenarios, representation from seasoned legal counsel can ensure your rights and best interests are preserved throughout any Court action you find yourself involved in.
A conversation with a Syracuse paternity lawyer can offer answers to important questions and confidence about what next steps you should take in your situation. Call today to set up a meeting.
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