Corona Paternity Lawyer

Helping Fathers Establish Paternity in Riverside County

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.

Contact Michael J. LaCilento, Attorney at Law today to get started with our paternity attorney in Corona.

What is a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity?

You can avoid all the DNA blood work if you can establish paternity using aVoluntary Declaration of Paternity. This document, which can be accessed at local courthouses, 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.

What Are My Rights As a Father 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 a 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.