Do You Need a Corona Paternity Lawyer?
Today, not all children are born to married parents. In fact, about 41%
of the children born in California are born out of wedlock. When a father
is not married to the mother of the baby, he is required to establish
paternity if he wants to sustain an ongoing relationship with the child.
Paternity is a legal process in which the father is tested to confirm
whether or not his DNA matches the DNA of the child.
You can avoid all the DNA blood work if you can establish paternity using a
Voluntary Declaration of Paternity. This document, which can be accessed at local court houses, is an official
document that is normally signed at the hospital by the biological father.
The mother will also need to sign the document confirming the father's
paternity.
If you cannot establish paternity at the hospital with the Voluntary Declaration
of Paternity, you will need to file a Petition to Establish the Parental
Relationship. If a mother does not contest the father's claims, paternity
will be established. If the mother does contest, it will be time to take
a DNA test. After this, the court can establish or de-establish paternity
and invoke the father's rights.
A Father's Rights After Establishing Paternity
If you are a father and you have legally established paternity of your
child, you have the right to spend time with your child and to provide
for as child as permissible by the court. A judge can create visitation
rights, which the child's mother will be legally obligated to follow.
The courts can also enforce child support obligations if necessary or make
the child eligible for the father's government benefits such as Social
Security and veteran's benefits. Children who have been claimed through
paternity will also qualify for medical insurance coverage on the father's
health plan and will be rightful heirs to their father's inheritance.
If you want more information about establishing paternity, don't hesitate
to contact a
Corona divorce lawyer right away. I understand how paternity cases are handled in California
and can act as a legal advisor and advocate in your case. I handle paternity
cases in and around Corona, as well as throughout Riverside County.