When a child is born to a married couple, the law assumes the husband is the child’s father. However, parentage is not always so cut and dried. This is why establishing paternity is one of the most active areas in family law.
Often times it is the mother pursuing a paternity action to ensure her child’s father contributes to the child’s needs. Alternatively, a father might seek confirmation of paternity to protect his right to spend time with his child.
In any event, this creation of legal rights and obligations can happen in a few different ways, either through a Recognition of Parentage form (or “ROP“), through a court order, or through genetic testing to either rule out, or determine a 99% or higher probability of paternity.
Establishing paternity, especially in light of same-sex relationships, is a more complicated discussion than can be handled in a single blog post. Depending on the details of the case, establishing paternity may be easy and inexpensive, or a complicated process.
If you would like to discuss the topic in light of your own unique facts, our firm can help you determine the best course of action for your situation.