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When a father is not listed on a child’s birth certificate, it may be difficult to uphold the father’s rights, as a court must have proof of paternity. Fortunately, an attorney with experience determining paternity in Chattanooga may be able to help.
You deserve someone who aggressively advocates for your right to play a role in your child’s life, so you can have a continued, substantial relationship with them.
A father is legally defined as either the person listed on the child’s birth certificate or the person determined to be the biological father of the child through paternity testing.
Paternity can be determined in Chattanooga in several different ways. For example, a married or unmarried couple has the option to fill out a document at the hospital to establish paternity and list the father on the child’s birth certificate. By signing the birth certificate, the father listed acknowledges their role as the father of the child—this is referred to as voluntary acknowledgment of paternity.
In situations where a father is not listed on the child’s birth certificate, the father must petition the court to establish his paternity of the child. The father can do this at any time during the child’s life. When utilizing this option, paternity is typically established with DNA testing after the case has been filed.
There are multiple paternity testing facilities in Chattanooga that utilize efficient testing procedures and produce results that are admissible in court. The tests are most often administered with a noninvasive swab test. To begin the process, the father and child must go to a local testing facility, where they are then swabbed. The facility is able to run a DNA test to determine with approximately 99.99 percent probability if that adult is the father.
If the mother of the child is averse to having a paternity test done, the possible father must petition the court and present evidence that their claim is substantial. In either case, a legal advocate with experience in this area of law could advise an individual on the regulations in Chattanooga as they navigate the paternity process.
Paternity must be legally established before the father can request a court order allowing them to visit or have custody of the child. If there is a question about the father’s identity or if the possible father questions his own paternity, it is strongly recommended to conduct a paternity test as soon as possible.
The longer it takes for you to establish paternity, the more difficult it can be to convince the court that a relationship with your child is not only in the child’s best interest, but also their highest priority.
Call an attorney today to begin working toward determining paternity in Chattanooga today. They could help you navigate the process and help you work toward a stronger future for you and your child.