Establishing Paternity Helps Solidify Your Child’s Future
Paternity is a legal acknowledgment of fatherhood. Paternity is usually established when the child is born and the birth certificate is filled out. However, in cases where the mother is unmarried/divorced or uncertain of who the father is, paternity must be established through other means. The Oklahoma Department of Health charges a fee to set up paternity and alter a birth certificate if it is not done at birth. An Acknowledgment of Paternity is a form that must be signed by both parents, agreeing on who the father of the child is. If the mother does not know or does not agree with who the father is, a DNA test may be required. Whether you are filling out a form or taking a test, it’s important to have legal counsel. The Grady County paternity attorneys at Wirth Law Office can simplify the process with their knowledge and understanding.
What is a Paternity Determination Test?
Legally determining paternity sometimes requires a DNA test. This is a Paternity Determination Test. It is a relatively non-invasive test. Instead of drawing blood to run your DNA, the test uses saliva. A “buccal swab” is used to collect saliva from the mouth of the child and the alleged father. Grady County paternity attorneys can make this as easy as possible for you. Due to the relative simplicity of the test, it may be tempting to find a paternity test online or at a nearby drug store. However, these are not legally binding. If you need to establish paternity for legal reasons, you’ll want to take the official buccal swab test. Results are 90%-99% accurate and usually take about four to six weeks.
Why Should You Establish Paternity?
There are many reasons that a mother or potential father would like to establish paternity. These reasons are generally emotional, financial, or legal.
- The mother wants proof of who the father is so she can receive support in raising the child.
- The father wants to have a role in his child’s life.
- The man who acts as the child’s father is not the real father, which can aid him legally.
- The man who thinks he is the child’s father actually is not.
- The child, usually adopted, wants to know who his/her birth father is.
- The child is entitled to an inheritance from the biological father.
- The mother or child’s doctor needs to know for medical purposes.
For the Mother
Grady County paternity attorneys can guide you through the process of establishing paternity. Some benefits for mothers who establish paternity are financial aid from the child’s father and/or help raising the child. It may also put the mother at ease to know the identity of her child’s father. If she wants the father to have a role in his child’s life, she can give him visitation or custody rights. He would also have child support and other obligations.
Establishing paternity also means knowing who isn’t the father. If a man who claims to be the child’s father is harassing the mother, she can use a DNA test to prove that he is not. . In that case, he would have no legal right to be part of the child’s life. Knowing who a child’s father is can help when the father passes away. If he didn’t leave a will specifying who would inherit his estate, his child is legally entitled to an inheritance.
For the Father
Fathers enjoy certain benefits of knowing who their children are. Should they choose to, they can be a part of their child’s life. If a man thinks he is the father but can’t prove it, he can’t have any visitation or custody rights. Unless the mother agrees to sign an Acknowledgement of Paternity with him, he will need to establish paternity in order to have a role in that child’s life. Once he does, he will be able to spend time with the child and even share custody. He will have the right to contribute to the child’s upbringing and make decisions regarding the health, education, and finances of the child. For assistance establishing paternity, turn to Grady County paternity attorneys.
Low-cost Consultation with a Grady County Paternity Attorney
If there a dispute about paternity, or you are suffering from doubt and uncertainty, don’t hesitate to contact a Grady County paternity attorney at Wirth Law Office – Chickasha. We can ease your anxiety with our legally defensible yet compassionate counsel. Whether you’re in negotiations regarding paternity or are considering a DNA test, we are ready to help you navigate the process. For a free consultation, call (405) 272-4100 or fill out the form at the top of this page.