Obtaining Legal Paternity Rights and Obligations
Establishing legal paternity can bring great benefits for fathers, mothers and — most of all — children. If you have run into a conflict identifying the legal father of a child, be thankful that paternity can easily be established through modern DNA testing.
If you would like to discuss a potential paternity action with a lawyer, you can schedule an initial consultation at Jeffrey S. Koster, P.L., by calling 866.941.1325 or by contacting our offices online. Mr. Koster provides compassionate, aggressive and experienced service. He is involved in every aspect of every case at our firm.
Why Establish Legal Paternity?
Everyone benefits when the relationship between a father and child is legally established. Here's how:
- Children know who their father is. Uncertainty over the identity of a father can cause significant developmental disruptions during early childhood. In addition, children benefit greatly when they have support from and quality time with both parents. Legal paternity also makes a child eligible for social security and other benefits.
- Mothers are able to enforce the right to collect child support payments from the father. A biological father without legal paternity has no obligation to pay child support.
- Fathers gain all the rights that come with legal fatherhood: the right to be included in a time-sharing parenting plan (that is, the right to custody and visitation); the right to raise objections if the mother tries to relocate far away with the children; and the right to have a say in the child's education and medical care. That includes the right to have the child covered under the father's health insurance plan.
When Can Paternity Be Established?
Paternity is only in doubt when an unmarried mother gives birth to a child. If the mother is married, the court automatically presumes that her husband is also the child's father. However, if paternity is contested, either the mother or the putative father can force DNA testing.
You can learn more about your rights and options by scheduling an initial consultation with attorney Jeffrey S. Koster. Our offices are located in Lutz, Florida, and we serve clients throughout the Tampa metro region.
