Establishing Paternity

Establishing paternity of a child can be extremely important for the child. It opens up opportunities for the child to eventually have an inheritance from the father, they are eligible to be on their father’s insurance plan, and they also get the emotional benefits of identifying with their biological father and his family. It may also be a preventive step because the child will be aware of a family medical history that may make him vulnerable to certain ailments.

Many states have laws that allow for unmarried couples to test for paternity at the hospital when the baby is being born. In most cases, the father signs a document agreeing to the paternity of the child. The parent would agree to the results of a paternity test and would acknowledge that he is indeed the father of the child. Clearly, this comes with some responsibilities, from child support to legal guardianship and the duty of caring for the child.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act gives the father up to 60 days from signing the paternity document to challenge the results of the paternity test. If he does so in that time frame, the document is considered void. Child support can only be requested from the father if the parents were married at the time or if the unmarried father acknowledges paternity.

Contact Us

If you are having a problem establishing paternity, or if you have any other questions related to divorce or family law, contact the West Palm Beach divorce lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. by calling 561-353-2800 today.