Legal Parentage

Legal parentage refers to the official recognition of an individual as a parent of a child, which grants them specific rights and responsibilities, such as custody, support, and inheritance rights. Legal parentage can arise through biological means (birth) or through legal processes, such as adoption. It is crucial in determining a child's legal ties to parents, which impacts decisions about care, upbringing, and financial obligations. Establishing legal parentage is important for ensuring the child’s rights and benefits, such as access to medical decisions, education, and government benefits.