What is a Paternity suit?
A paternity suit establishes parentage. An action is filed by an unmarried mother or by an unmarried father who have minor children together. Through this action, the Court will determine paternity (or non-paternity if the father is found not to be the biological father of the minor children), and make custody and visitation as well as child support orders.
A paternity suit is an action to establish legally a man as the father of a child. It may be brought by the child’s mother, father, or the child, to collect child support and establish custody. Child support is money paid by one parent to the other parent with custody of the child to pay for food, clothing, and other essentials for the child. Once the Court establishes paternity, you may be ordered to pay child support and pay the medical and dental expenses for the child. HOW IS PATERNITY ESTABLISHED? One way is for the child’s mother to file a court case against the man she thinks is the father. In the papers, she will name the father of the child and tell why she thinks he is the father. A copy of the papers is delivered to the man by the sheriff. (You should be aware that a man can establish paternity is he believes he is the child’s father, whether or not the child lives with him.) WHAT DO I DO IF I AM SERVED WITH A PATERNITY COMPLAINT? It is very important that you first read the
A paternity suit is a legal action which is taken to determine the identity of the father of a child. There are a number of reasons to initiate a paternity suit, but most suits are filed to establish financial or moral responsibility on the part of one or both parents involved. A paternity suit may also be used to gain visitation rights, or to settle a contentious issue. Parents can also avoid a paternity suit by working out an amicable private agreement. Several people can file a paternity suit. Mothers often file them to legally establish the identity of the man who fathered the child in question. This legal decision can be used to sue for child support and other benefits. A man may file a paternity suit to clear up his position in a case, and a child can file a paternity suit to find out who his or her father is. Certain government agencies may also initiate paternity suits, especially in the cases of contentious adoptions. One of the best ways to establish paternity is a blood test
This is a lawsuit to determine a legal biological parent. Under what circumstances is a paternity suit filed? A parentage suit is filed to determine the biological father or mother of the child. Who may file a paternity suit? Generally, the mother, the man claiming to be the father, the child (either individually or through a representative) or governmental agency. When can you file? A suit can be filed at any time before the child is born and up until two years after the child is and adult, which is generally 18 years of age. Why is a paternity suit filed? To establish the child’s legal relationship with a biological parent and to establish child support, visitation, or custody. In certain cases, to reimburse the biological mother for pre-natal and post-natal expenses. What happens after a paternity suit is filed? If the parties do not agree on the parentage, the court will order blood test on the parties. Who pays for the blood test? If the parties cannot agree, the court will decide
