Establishing paternity is incredibly important for matters relating to family law. For fathers, establishing paternity allows them to seek custody and parenting time with their children. For mothers, paternity can help them receive child support.
If you are currently navigating a legal matter regarding paternity issues, a Meridian family lawyer from Brown Family Law is here to assist. We can help parents take the appropriate steps to establish paternity for their children and navigate paternal rights.
Our law firm has over 150 years of combined legal experience helping families navigate their legal issues. Contact our offices today to speak to a paternity lawyer in Meridian from our firm.
How a Family Lawyer Can Help With Paternity Issues
Even in cases without disputes, establishing paternity involves legal complexities. A family lawyer can help individuals establish legal paternity for their children and manage other issues related to parentage, such as child support or child custody.
A Meridian paternity lawyer can also help manage the administrative burden and ensure privacy for you and your family. At Brown Family Law, we are committed to a smarter way of navigating family issues. We protect our clients and prioritize strategic and calm decision-making in everything we do.
Family issues are often fraught with tension and strong emotions, but a lawyer can provide an impartial, objective perspective. Call us today to see why thousands of clients have chosen us for legal representation.
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Why Establishing Paternity Matters
When married couples have a child, the husband is typically presumed to be the father. However, in issues where the parents aren’t married, legal fatherhood is not necessarily assumed and may need to be established.
When parents aren’t married, determining paternity is important for several reasons:
- Establish legal rights. Perhaps most importantly, establishing paternity secures legal rights and responsibilities, such as the right to child support and parenting time.
- Emotional benefits. Establishing legal parentage can help strengthen the relationship and sense of identity between a parent and child.
- Access to resources. Determining paternity can also help the child access resources for their care and development through child support.
- Medical information. The father may have genetic or medical conditions that could have been passed down to the child.
- Responsibility. By establishing paternity, fathers assume legal responsibilities, including potential child support obligations.
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How to Establish Paternity in Meridian
In Idaho, paternity can be established voluntarily or involuntarily.
Below is the process for each:
Voluntary
Paternity is most commonly established by signing an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) at the hospital or by filing the form later with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Involuntary
In cases where one party does not wish to establish paternity, they can be compelled to do so by a court.
There are two ways to establish paternity involuntarily:
- Either parent can file for a court determination of paternity. The father will take a DNA test, and the court will issue an order establishing paternity if there is a match.
- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare may issue an administrative order if the mother receives public assistance.
If the child is old enough, then they may be able to petition the court to determine paternity and establish their right to a parental relationship or inheritance.
How Does DNA Testing for Paternity Work in Meridian?
When a court issues an order to establish paternity, it can make the alleged father take a DNA test. This DNA test is typically a cheek swab test, which has a 99.9% accuracy in determining parentage, though blood tests are also available.
The cost of DNA testing may initially be paid by the requesting party, but the court can allocate or order reimbursement of these costs.
To obtain a DNA sample and test, you must use a certified testing agency. The testing company must provide legally admissible results. While the laboratory analysis is efficient, legally admissible results typically take one to two weeks to be processed and reported.
What Happens if a Paternity Test Is Refused
Failing to comply with a court-ordered paternity test can result in being held in contempt of court, which may lead to fines or other penalties. Refusing a court-ordered test may also allow the court to draw an adverse inference or make a determination based on the available evidence.
Contact a Meridian Paternity Lawyer Today
Legal parentage is about more than just a name on a birth certificate. It is about providing your child with a stable foundation for their financial and emotional future. Whether you are seeking to establish rights or ensure necessary support, our Meridian team is ready to provide the clarity you need to move forward.
Take the first step toward a resolution. Contact Brown Family Law today to schedule your confidential consultation. We will help you understand your options and develop a strategy tailored to your family’s unique situation.
