Find Top Rated Paternity Lawyers for your case

Paternity law addresses the legal determination of a child's biological or legal father. Establishing paternity can affect child support, custody, visitation, and a child's rights to benefits and inheritance.

Paternity may be established through:

1. Voluntary acknowledgment forms signed by both parents
2. Genetic or DNA testing ordered by the court
3. Presumptions based on marriage or long-term relationships
4. Court orders in child support or custody cases

• Disputes over whether someone is a child's legal father
• Requests for DNA testing or challenges to test results
• Adding a father's name to a birth certificate
• Linking paternity to child support or visitation rights
• Seeking to disestablish or change paternity after new evidence

Paternity attorneys represent mothers, alleged fathers, and sometimes caregivers or guardians in matters such as:

• Establishing paternity to obtain child support
• Protecting a father's rights to custody and visitation
• Contesting incorrect paternity findings
• Coordinating paternity issues in interstate cases
• Addressing paternity questions in adoption or guardianship proceedings

You may need legal advice if paternity is in dispute, you are unsure of your rights as a parent, or you have received court papers regarding paternity, child support, or custody.

• You want to confirm paternity and secure support for a child
• You wish to establish your rights as a father to see your child
• You have been named in a paternity or support case you disagree with
• You believe past paternity findings may be incorrect
• You are navigating paternity issues alongside adoption or guardianship

LexPair connects you with family law attorneys who regularly handle paternity, custody, and support issues. They can explain how your state's laws work, coordinate DNA testing, and represent you in negotiations or hearings.

Paternity case costs are influenced by testing needs, whether custody or support is contested, and the number of court appearances. Typical expenses include:

• Attorney fees for preparing filings and attending hearings
• Genetic or DNA testing costs
• Court filing and service fees
• Additional costs if custody or support disputes are combined with paternity