Orange County Family Lawyer for Paternity Testing
The Importance of Determining Paternity
In order to substantiate the rights of a parent and child, it is important to establish paternity and parentage. Establishing parentage will legally declare who the child's mother and father are.
Parentage and paternity issues can affect decisions regarding:
- Child support
- Child custody
- And visitation
For obvious reasons, no court can order an individual to pay child support for a child that may not actually belong to that person. Custody and visitation rights are similarly affected. If you have questions or concerns about paternity or parentage, you can always speak with an Orange County paternity attorney at The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman.
Mr. Bridgman and his team have decades of combined experience in handling paternity and parentage issues in California. Call (949) 558-2799 or contact us online today to get started on your case!
Why a Father Would Establish His Paternity
A man might establish his paternity in court for a number of reasons. Let us consider a few possible scenarios. First, if this man dated a woman for some time and she became pregnant, but he suspected her of infidelity, both he and the child would need to take DNA tests in order to determine paternity. If he is not the biological father, then he cannot be held legally responsible for child support payments.
If a man has a child by a woman and she tries to deny his fatherhood, he may be denied visitation and custody rights unless he can establish paternity.
A child deserves to have a relationship with their father, and a father deserves to have a relationship with his child. If both parents agree on the child's paternity, then the father should establish it voluntarily at the child's birth.
Why a Mother Would Call for Paternity Testing
A single mother deserves all of the support she can get. If the biological father is refusing to pay child support because he claims he is not, in fact, the biological father, then he will be required to complete a paternity test.
Perhaps the relationship was not meant to be, but this does not excuse the biological father from supporting his child. A biological father cannot avoid child support by moving, and if he refuses to make his payments, the court may place him in contempt.
How To Determine Paternity for Married and Unmarried Parents
In California, if a child was born during a marriage, the husband may not be able to dispute the child's paternity. No evidence, including results from a blood test, can be used to prove that he is not the child's biological father.
If the parents are not married and the father is denying his paternity, he may be served with a Summons and Complaint Regarding Parental Obligations. This will require him to ask for a paternity test within 30 days of being served.
If the results state that there is a high probability of him being the father, he may either agree to his paternity or ask to take the case to trial.
Can a Mother Deny a Man a Paternity Test?
A mother can refuse to have paternity testing done if the man is asking. However, there can be legal action taken and a court order to do a paternity test can be issued. Ultimately, a man has rights to know if he is or is not the biological father. Getting a lawyer can be extremely helpful in the event a paternity test has been denied by the mother.
A Trusted Team With Over 30 Years of Combined Experience
If you decide that you want to go to court in order to prove that you or another individual is the legal parent of a child or children, you will greatly benefit from the legal knowledge and practical experience offered by the family law attorneys at The Law Office of Bruce C. Bridgman.
Your attorney will fight for you in order to enhance your chances of receiving the best possible outcome in your case. Paternity and parentage are vital concerns that must be established.
Contact our firm today by calling (949) 558-2799 to discuss your parentage concerns with our Orange County paternity lawyer. We offer free consultations!