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
Legal Forums
-  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
-  Family Law-  Child Custody
-  Child Support-  Divorce
-  Visitation Rights
 

Ask a Lawyer - Family Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Can Dad Insist on Claiming the Tax Exemption?

My ex told me that he won't be able to carry medical insurance on our children unless he can claim them on his taxes.

I have soul-physical custody. In our decree, he must carry insurance on the children. Can he do this? We live in Minnesota.

Which Parent Can Take Exemption and Tax Credits for Children?

What determines which parent can claim our child as a tax dependency exemption and which tax credits does that extend to?

Also, what happens if I am supposed to be able to claim my child but think that the other parent is also going to claim him?

Is it Possible for a Same-Sex Couple to Adopt?

My same-sex partner and I are planning a family, and we would like a good friend to be the donor. As the "donor" our friend would want no rights or responsibility for the child. Could he sign over custody to me or could I adopt my partner's child?

I know that West Virginia does not currently permit same-sex marriages, but I'm not sure how this would affect our options.

How Do I Enforce a Divorce Decree?

My ex won't take my phone calls, my son hasn't been available for scheduled phone calls either. The court order said that we would be allotted visitation and scheduled phone calls, but at this time, I'm not getting either.

He is 13 and failing 80% of his classes, What can I do? Can I stop paying child support? Can I call the Department of Child Care Services?

How Much Parenting Time Will My Boyfriend Get with Our Son?

I have a 14 month old son with my boyfriend, and we may be breaking up. My boyfriend insists that he can take our son from me since our son has his last name.

Will my boyfriend get our son for a week at a time since he works out of state and is at work for a week and then home for a week?


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