Protecting Parents' and Children's Rights
If your child was born outside of a marriage, it will be necessary to establish paternity before the child's father has the rights and responsibilities of a parent under California law. Either parent can request a hearing to establish paternity.
At the Diamond Law Firm in Los Angeles, we represent clients in contested and uncontested paternity cases, protecting the rights of mothers, fathers and children. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced family law attorneys.
Understanding How the Father Is Legally Identified
There are a number of ways paternity can be determined in California. Generally, if a man's name is listed on a child's birth certificate and he has historically acted as that child's father, he is considered to be the father without any need for DNA testing.
If the child does not currently have anyone acting as a father figure and any party doubts the paternity of the child, the family court can order a DNA test.
Once a hearing to establish paternity has been held and the court has determined who the father is, that person has the same rights and responsibilities as any other father.
Pursuing Your Goals Through the Paternity Process
Our attorneys are experienced at helping fathers bring paternity actions to pursue child custody as well as visitation and stepped-up visitation. We also help mothers establish paternity in order to pursue child support from the fathers of their children.
For all of these issues, the same legal standards apply that would apply in a divorce or post-divorce modification case. To learn more about your rights and responsibilities as a parent under California law, contact us today to talk to a knowledgeable paternity lawyer.
