A paternity suit is a legal process to establish who is legally the father, especially when parents aren’t married or if there is a conflict and paternity is in dispute.
This family court action can be started by the mother to gain child support from the alleged father, or filed by the biological father to receive parental rights, including the addition of his name to the Registration of Live Birth if he was omitted as a parent. DNA testing is often part of evidence considered by the court in such cases.
UNMARRIED PARENTS
This determination is particularly essential for unmarried parents as it helps establish the following:
- Child support or child maintenance
- A father’s legal rights and responsibilities
- The child’s eligibility to receive benefits through the father
- The child’s access to health information from the father’s side
Paternity ensures that both legal parents’ rights and responsibilities are upheld. Also included is the legal process to establish the specifics of any child support and parenting arrangements needed.
Note: The information in this blog is not legal advice. Consult a lawyer for advice for your situation.