Proving Paternity

 Posted on February 07, 2019 in Paternity

Finding out that you are about to become a parent should be a fun and exciting time; however, this is not always the case. For some men, they have to prove that they are the father, rather than being told by their soon-to-be co-parent. Proving that you are or are not the father of a child is a medical and legal process which can be more involved than just going to the doctor. Continue reading to learn more about the process of proving paternity.

The Need to Know

There are many reasons why people will seek to find out the identity of the biological father of a child. Many mothers and potential fathers want to know the child’s father because of the need for monetary and parenting support. If the father and mother are not married, the parent without primary custody, in which case is usually the father, will be required to pay child support. Many mothers also want help from the father in regards to raising their child. Knowing the identity of both parents is also important in regards to health benefits and insurance. The child will be covered by his/her father’s health insurance, social security, inheritance, and veteran’s benefits. It is also crucial to know a father’s identity to have a better understanding of the child’s health background as well as the child’s own sense of identity.

The Procedure

Paternity proceedings are not always filed by the father, but rather can be filed by the father, mother, or child. Many paternity tests are performed without the intervention of the court. If not done voluntarily, a court can mandate for the test to be taken thus making the mother, father, and child all submit to testing. There are multiple types of tests that can be performed including a blood or swab test to collect DNA samples. Funding for the tests depends on the results. If the testing for the father is positive, the man will pay for the test. On the other hand, if the testing for the father is negative, the mother will be responsible for the payment.

Contact an St. Charles, IL Family Lawyer

Though paternity tests are fairly easy and harmless, getting the process moving is not always so simple. It is common to have a refusal to take the paternity test from either party involved. To ensure that you and your child’s rights are met, it is important to have a parentage lawyer on your side. At Shaw Sanders, P.C., we understand the high stakes involved in parentage cases and we have extensive experience in this field of law. Contact our Kane County paternity attorneys at 630-584-5550 for a free consultation regarding your parentage situation.

Source:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/why-and-how-to-establish-paternity-2997684