Paternity



Paternity is the legal acknowledgment of a parental relationship between a father and his child. A child born to a wife during a marriage is legally presumed to be the husband's child, but this presumption can be rebutted with evidence to the contrary. A determination of paternity for putative fathers can be established through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, a court petition, or estoppel over time. Scientific evidence, such as blood and DNA tests, is used to establish or deny parentage of a child in paternity suits. Once paternity is established, a child is entitled to the legal rights of a child born within a marriage, including support from both parents, medical and life insurance coverage, and inheritance protection.

Find a Child Support attorney in your area.


Paternity Articles
State Specific Resources
-  Divorce, Child Custody and Support in Your State-  State Child Support Service/ Enforcement Websites
-  State Domestic Relations and Family Codes Websites-  State Vital Records Websites
 
Articles
-  Sharing Custody-  The Importance of Child Support
-  Visitation Rights After Divorce or End of Relationship-  Custody Disputes: Know What To Expect & What To Do
-  Child Custody and Child Visitation: Terms To Know-  Understanding the Uniform Parentage Act
-  Examples of Visitation Schedules-  Paternity
-  Safe-Haven Laws Help Protect Newborns-  An Introduction to the Family Medical Leave Act
-  Who's Your Daddy? Proving and Disproving Paternity
 
Paternity FAQs
-  Divorce: Modifying Custody FAQ-  Divorce: Enforcing Custody Rights FAQ
-  Divorce: Child Custody FAQ-  Divorce: Calculating Child Support FAQ
-  Divorce: Modifying Child Support FAQs-  Divorce: Establishing Child Support FAQ
-  Divorce: Paying and Collecting Child Support FAQ
 
Select and Complete a Do-it-Yourself Form
-  Family & Personal Forms
Family Law Forms
-  Power of Attorney-  Divorce Worksheet
-  Last Will & Testament-  Legal Name Change
-  Premarital Agreement-  Residential Quit Claim Deed
-  Marriage Certificate Request Letter-  Demand for Alimony Payment
-  Name Change Notification Letter-  Demand for Child Support Payment
 
Access Other
-  Family Law Legal Forms
 
Lawyers.comsm Virtual Community
Legal Forums
-  NY Family Law/Divorce-  Non-Custodial Parents
-  TX Family Law/Divorce-  PA Family Law/Divorce
-  General Family Law-  General Divorce Law
-  Emotional Support - Divorce-  FL Family Law/Divorce
-  Child Custody and Visitation-  CA Family Law/Divorce
-  Alimony
 
Chats
-  Chat Listing-  Lee Borden
 
Hiring a Family Law Lawyer
-  Family Law: Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer-  Family Law: Selecting a Good Lawyer
-  Family Law: Meeting with a Lawyer
 
Related Topics on Lawyers.comsm
-  Your Family & the Law-  Child Custody and Visitation
-  Child Support-  Divorce
-  Visitation Rights
 
Paternity Lawyers for Select Cities
 

Ask a Lawyer - Your Family & the Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Is there a such thing as a Pro Bono family lawyer in Florida?
I am going through a very nasty divorce and custody case in Florida it has been over a year our final date is July 29. I am up against two lawyers. Even though my ex husband has two felonies the most recent in October they are winning because I don't have the money to hire a lawyer. I have done what the courts have asked, I am stable and have a job. All I want is my son back who is currently in the temporary custody of my ex in laws. Can someone please help me?
Moving out at 17
My mom and I constantly don't get along and agree and we always fight. She also places a great deal of responsibility on me by making me watch my siblings and clean the entire house and typically I'm home with them all day almost everyday. And she's constantly gone on the weekends. I have 3 children under my care and I'm about to be a senior in highschool, I have a great deal of work to do before going to college. I will be turning 17 in August and I need to know if I'm able to move out and not be arrested for runaway. Living in this house is extremely detrimental to my health and I constantly feel like ending it all.
how do i get a divorce with no information on the spouse
the spouse has moved several time and i have no info on them
How can I get power of attorney for my son
My son is in prison and I need access to his accounts.
not the biological father
I recently found out the child i have been taking care of for 5 years is not mine through dna testing. I informed the mother (eventhough im pretty sure she knew) she ran down to the court and filed to take me off child support and the legal rights with visitations and decisison making. Since she initiated this action can i ask to get the 5 years of support i have paid for the child? we did not have a relationship nor were we married. This case is out of Massachusetts
view more...

Paternity Lawyer Web Sites
 
 -  Oregon Family Law - Kell, Alterman & Runstein, L.L.P.
 -  Rhode Island Family Attorneys - Kirshenbaum Law Associates
 -  New York Law - Sepe & O'mahony, PLLC
 -  Clinton County Family Law - Jackson, Jackson & Hayes, P.C.
 -  Delaware County Family Attorneys - Hoffman Turner & Associates
Attorney's Fee Calculator
Area of law


Your Location
E.g. "City, State" or Zip

Attorney's Fee Calculator

Close