Is it necessary to legally establish paternity?
One question that often comes up when you are dealing with a situation that involves a child custody agreement is the issue of paternity. Do I need to establish paternity? What should I do if the other parent doesn’t believe that they are the father? What should I do if someone who is not the father is claiming to be the father? There are a wide variety of questions that may come up but they all have one solution. If there is any question at all about paternity, your best bet is to simply have a paternity test taken.
Now, there are a few important things to note when it comes to establishing paternity. First, you should make sure that this is done before the child turns 21. The child can always go if they decide to and have a paternity test taken on their own but it does not matter in terms of custody or child support after the child is 21 because that is when it expires.
You may want to consider establishing paternity for benefits such as health insurance, child support, and social security. If the person in question voluntarily agrees to participate in a paternity test, that is great. However, there may be situations in which it may have to be ordered by the court.
It is important that if you have questions or need help establishing paternity, you should consult with an experienced attorney who can provide you with assistance.
Robert Pollack is an experienced divorce and family law attorney in Long Island, New York. Contact The Pollack Law Firm, P.C., to set up a free initial consultation.
