A legal parent has a responsibility to support their child and the right to a relationship with their child. If you believe you are the father of a child, and you are not legally acknowledged as that child’s father, you could take a paternity test. If you are an unwed mother of a child and wish to get support from the child’s father, there are ways to establish paternity.
Get legal assistance when dealing with paternity tests in Stamford. Our talented fathers’ rights attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced in the legal nuances of paternity testing, child custody, and child support.
When parents are married at the time of a child’s birth, the law presumes the husband is the father. If the parents are not married and the father is not listed on the birth certificate, paternity can be established by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage and filing it with the Connecticut Department of Health or the Department of Social Services.
If disputes arise or a parent refuses to sign the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage, the matter proceeds through the legal system. In Connecticut, paternity actions may be initiated by the mother, a man who believes he is the father, the town’s welfare officer, or the Department of Social Services. A child over the age of 18 may also bring an action to establish paternity. A Stamford lawyer can assist by initiating court procedures and responding to actions involving paternity testing.
A paternity test in Stamford is usually carried out by a private company that works with the court system. The testing typically involves taking a DNA sample from the inside of the cheek with a cotton swab. DNA is collected from the child and the alleged father, and then the DNA is tested to determine if the alleged father is related to the child. If the test comes back positive, the court can issue a statement of parentage, which makes the man the legal father of the child.
If the alleged father fails to respond to a paternity case or refuses to participate in testing, the court may enter a default ruling. In most cases, the default establishes the man as the father and holds him responsible for child support and the costs of the paternity action. Anyone facing a paternity case should seek guidance from a Stamford attorney who understands paternity testing matters.
The court must establish paternity before deciding child custody. After a positive paternity test in Stamford, the father assumes parental rights and responsibilities. For example, a legal father has the right to access his child’s healthcare records and school documents. He may also file for custody or visitation and must provide child support.
If the mother relies on state assistance or healthcare, the state Attorney General can file a paternity action against the father. This is a way to establish paternity, so the father is obligated to pay child support and possibly reimburse the state. Contact a Stamford lawyer concerning paternity actions to get legal guidance.
Whether you are a mother who wants to initiate paternity actions against the father of your child or a father who is dealing with paternity actions, contact a lawyer who understands the proper legal procedures and can explain your rights and the consequences of your actions.
To learn more about paternity tests in Stamford, contact Dolan Divorce Lawyers today.
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