Paternity Establishment

Paternity establishment is the legal process of determining the biological father of a child. This typically occurs when parents are unmarried or when there is a dispute about fatherhood. It can involve voluntary acknowledgment by the father, such as signing a paternity declaration, or genetic testing (DNA tests) to confirm biological ties. Establishing paternity is important for child support, custody rights, access to health benefits, and legal recognition of the father-child relationship. This process helps ensure that children's needs are met and fathers can fulfill their responsibilities and rights.