Establish Paternity With Our Experienced South Bend Paternity Attorneys
In Indiana, fathers do not automatically have the right to custody or even parenting time with their children. This uncertainty can create difficulties for mothers and fathers. If you are at this roadblock, it is time to turn to the Blanford Law Office for help.
Our team of family law attorneys has more than 65 combined years of experience serving the people of northern Indiana. They treat you with respect and dignity as they explain your legal options. If you need to establish paternity, they will help you do so swiftly and effectively.
What Is Paternity In Indiana?
Paternity refers to the legal determination of a child’s biological father. When a mother gives birth, the state automatically considers her the child’s custodial parent. But identifying the child’s father is not always straightforward.
In Indiana, establishing paternity is the only way for a father of a child born outside of marriage to get custodial rights or parenting time rights with his child. Likewise, mothers must establish paternity in order to get child support from the father.
There are two ways of establishing paternity: The mother and father can sign an “Affidavit of Paternity” when the child is born, acknowledging that the father is, indeed, the child’s biological father. Or, the other way – when an affidavit isn’t signed – is for one of the parents to take the other to court to prove paternity. And there a judge may order DNA testing.
Either way, though, it takes court orders to enforce custodial rights, parenting time and financial obligations involving children of unmarried parents. Our lawyers regularly assist parents in enforcing their custody and parenting time rights, and the rights of their children to financial support.
What To Know About Paternity Affidavits
If a child is born to unmarried parents, the man who, according to I.C.16-37-2-2.1, reasonably appears to be the child’s biological father will likely be presented with a paternity affidavit. The person presenting this document is a person statutorily obligated to give this document to you for you to consider signing.
If you are an unwed father or father-to-be, then you need to understand that there are consequences of signing this document. There are also tremendous pitfalls you must be aware of. By signing a paternity affidavit, you are acknowledging that you are unquestionably the biological father of the child just born. There will be no need for genetic testing to determine if you’re the father. You’ll be identified as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If the mother should ever consider placing the child for adoption, your consent to that adoption would be necessary.
Establish Paternity Or Enforce Paternity Orders With An Attorney Today
The attorneys at Blanford Law Office can help secure your rights as a parent of children born to unmarried parents. Whether you’re seeking to have or maintain custody of your child, get parenting time, or enforce orders for financial support, we can help. To schedule an initial consultation, please call us at 574-303-6459 or send us an email.