Murrieta Paternity Attorney
Discover the Truth Today – Call (951) 506-6654
In California, the word “paternity” is used interchangeably
with “parentage” or “parental relationship.” In
family law terms, establishing paternity simply means determining who a child’s
father is. Whether it is the result of a clerical error or a child being
born out of wedlock, uncertainty of parentage can cause a myriad of issues
as a child grows, both in terms of their self-identity and their ability
to receive certain benefits such as child support and life insurance benefits.
If you are unsure of the paternity of your child or have encountered any
sort of paternity-related issue, the Murrieta paternity lawyers at Hanson,
Gorian, Bradford & Hanich can help. Our Murrieta family law attorney
team is made up of knowledgeable advocates and understands the various
laws and procedures that influence your situation and can help you move
forward through this sensitive process as smoothly as possible. Backed
by more than 50 years of combined legal experience the expertise of a
Certified Family Law Attorney within our ranks (Attorney Danica Hanich),
we have what it takes to guard your rights and ensure your paternity case
is handled efficiently and effectively.
Get in touch with us online today to discover your legal options.
Why is it Important to Establish Paternity?
Many parents are hesitant to pursue actions of paternity due to fear of
the results and the changes the truth could bring to their lives. It is
important for parents to look past this fear and commence paternity actions
due to many benefits that it can bring.
Advantages of establishing paternity for each party include:
-
Mother: If a child does not have a father’s name listed on their birth certificate,
it can be difficult for the mother to receive financial support from the
child’s father. DNA testing can be used to show a man is financially
responsible for a child’s wellbeing, making them legally required
to make child support payments.
-
Father: Conversely, a child’s assumed father may wish to pursue a paternity
action in order to prove their parental rights to
custody and
visitation. Likewise, DNA testing can be used to prove that a man is
not the father and clear them of this responsibility.
-
Child: Establishing a child’s genetic history through paternity can be greatly
beneficial for medical reasons, as well as to satisfy a child’s
urge to know who they are and where they came from. Furthermore, without
paternity, a child may be unable to collect social security benefits,
inheritances, or veteran’s benefits related to their father.
How Is Paternity Established in California?
By far the simplest method of establishing paternity is through the voluntary
cooperation. A child’s father and mother may formally declare parentage
of a child by signing a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity”
form, thereby granting them the full rights and responsibilities of being a parent.
Unfortunately, this method is not always possible, as disputes can arise
between parties regarding the true identity of a child’s biological
father. If a man refuses to accept paternity, or if either party wishes
to prove paternity, they may petition with the court for a paternity action
requiring DNA testing of the father in question. Depending on the outcome,
a man will either be required to accept paternity or will be freed from
the associated responsibilities.
Fill out an online form today to discover your legal options in full.
