Paternity

Paternity is the legal acknowledgment of a parental relationship between a father and his child. A child born to a wife during a marriage is legally presumed to be the husband's child, but this presumption can be rebutted with evidence to the contrary. A determination of paternity for putative fathers can be established through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, a court petition, or estoppel over time. Scientific evidence, such as blood and DNA tests, is used to establish or deny parentage of a child in paternity suits. Once paternity is established, a child is entitled to the legal rights of a child born within a marriage, including support from both parents, medical and life insurance coverage, and inheritance protection.

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Paternity Articles
State Specific Resources
-  Divorce, Child Custody and Support in Your State-  State Child Support Service/ Enforcement Websites
 
Articles
-  Sharing Custody-  Child Support
-  Your Rights As A Noncustodial Parent-  Negotiating Child Custody
-  Child Custody and Visitation-  The Uniform Parentage Act of 2002
-  Examples of Visitation Schedules-  Paternity
-  Safe-Haven Laws Help Protect Newborns-  Paternity Leave and FMLA
 
Paternity FAQs
-  Divorce: Modifying Custody FAQ-  Divorce: Enforcing Custody Rights FAQ
-  Divorce: Child Custody FAQ-  Divorce: Calculating Child Support FAQ
-  Divorce: Modifying Child Support FAQs-  Divorce: Establishing Child Support FAQ
-  Divorce: Paying and Collecting Child Support FAQ
 
Lawyers.comsm Virtual Community
Message Boards
-  NY Family Law/Divorce-  Non-Custodial Parents
-  TX Family Law/Divorce-  PA Family Law/Divorce
-  General Family Law-  General Divorce Law
-  Emotional Support - Divorce-  FL Family Law/Divorce
-  Child Custody and Visitation-  CA Family Law/Divorce
-  Alimony
 
Chats
-  Chat Listing-  Lee Borden
 
Hiring a Family Law Lawyer
-  Family Law: Preparing to Meet with a Lawyer-  Family Law: Selecting a Good Lawyer
-  Family Law: Meeting with a Lawyer
 
Related Topics on Lawyers.comsm
-  Visitation Rights-  Divorce
 

Ask a Lawyer - Family Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Is Unfiled Agreement Binding?

When my ex and I divorced he had a divorce agreement drawn up (by his future wife and attorney) and although I didn't completely agree with it, I signed it (without legal representation). I recently found out that the document was never filed with the divorce decree and the courthouse has no record of it. Is it legal and binding? I am from Pennsylvania.

Need to Change My Child's Name

My son was born in NC but we now live in PA I want to have his name changed and have his father listed on his birth certificate. The father on the birth certificate now isn't his real father. I need this done ASAP because my son enters kindergarten this year and doesn't know what his real name or last name is. Help Fast Please.

Will I Have To Pay My Husband's Debts in a Divorce?

I'm getting divorced and I would like to know if I get all my bills paid off that are in my name, are they going to make us split his bills and I have to pay those, too?

Dad's New Girlfriend Mistreats My Son

My question is my ex-husbands girlfriend treats my son badly when he visits his dad. His dad works nights and is hardly there when our son visits him, which is not very often. His dad doesn't call much or come and see him very much. So when he does visit our son wants to spend time with just his dad and not the girlfriend and new baby they have all the time. Well the girlfriend has started posting lies and hateful comments about my son on her myspace page which is uncalled for he is 11. My question is how can I not make my son go to his dad's if he does not want to go legally? I don't think it is in the best interest for my son to be in that enviroment emotionally. Can anyone help?

One Night Stand You'll Now Remember Forever

I just found out from a girl i had a one-night stand with that she is pregnant, and the baby is mine. I have offered to help her with adoption but refuses to give up the baby, she assured me she would raise it alone and not need my help. How would I go about terminating my parental rights? I have no way of supporting the child and have told the mother as such.


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