Establishing Paternity To Benefit Your Family
When a child is born to a married couple, the husband is legally presumed to be the father of the child. When an unmarried couple or mother has a child, there is no such assumption. A paternity test must identify the biological father of the child.
At Weinberg & Cooper, LLC, we advocate for the rights of unmarried parents and assist both fathers and mothers in establishing paternity. Since 1996, our attorneys have assisted individuals and families across Northern New Jersey with unique legal challenges that affect their families. As there are several options to establish legal paternity, we will work with you to determine an appropriate route forward.
How Paternity Can Be Established
Unmarried parents can select several ways to establish paternity, depending on their situation. Common options include:
- Voluntarily establishing paternity at the hospital when the child is born
- Voluntarily establishing paternity at any point after the child is born and filing the appropriate form with the court
- Involuntarily establishing paternity by the mother or the state pursuing a lawsuit against the alleged father
After the filing of a paternity lawsuit, the alleged father must appear in court and submit to a blood test. The DNA test will then prove whether the individual is the biological father.
The Advantages Of Establishing The Legal Father Of A Child
Everyone can benefit when the legal father of a child is known. The father can benefit by having his name on the child’s birth certificate, which recognizes him as the legal father. The mother can benefit by being able to legally enforce the rights of the father, including by pursuing child support payments. Most importantly, the child can benefit by growing up with a relationship with both parents.
Unfortunately, not all involved parties always recognize such benefits. In cases of disputed paternity, we will aggressively defend you, whether you are pursuing or challenging paternity. In any family law case concerning children, we ultimately promote the well-being of the children. We will uphold and represent your rights, and we will uphold the responsibilities of the other parent.
Talk To A Knowledgeable Attorney About Your Case Today
No two paternity cases are the same. We understand that and will help you determine the course of action that works for you and your child. We will always advocate for the best interests of you and your child.
You don’t need to handle this alone. Schedule an initial consultation with us at our Hackensack office. We work with individuals across Bergen County. Call us at 201-580-3934 or email us now to get started.