Suffolk County Paternity, Mother’s Rights, Father’s Rights Lawyer
Paternity is the legal status of being the father of a child or children. A child’s paternity may need to be established for a number of reasons: Unmarried parents may decide to end their relationship after the birth of a child. A step-parent may wish to purse legal adoption. A question of paternity may be raised in divorce when child support and custody issues are raised.
The focus of a paternity case is to determine the identity of a child’s father. Today’s DNA testing can accurately determine and establish parentage in a family law case.
How is paternity established?
- Signing a form known as an “acknowledgement of paternity.”
- By order of filiation – a court order determining the father of a child. It can be based on the father’s admission, a DNA test (paternity test) or additional evidence at a hearing.
- If a child is born during the course of a marriage, there is a legal presumption that the husband is the father of his wife’s child.
Circumstances in which paternity must be established?
- In order for a father to be entitled to petition for custody or visitation.
- In order for a mother to be entitled to child support from the father.
Contact us now to discuss your Nassau County or Suffolk County family law or divorce case. Call the Law Office of Louis L. Sternberg at 631-600-3295 to speak with a paternity lawyer in Suffolk County.
