In the legal field paternity is most commonly associated with child custody, child visitation, and child support. In essence an attorney can help argue before a Court of Law.

Paternity suits can determine if a man is the biological father of a child and thus, legally responsible. It also could be used to argue ancestry for estate purposes. Our attorneys understand that paternity issues can be very sensitive in nature. We have experience in representing client’s paternity proceedings, including children born out of wedlock.

• The mother of a child who wishes to establish paternity in order to receive child support
• · The father of a child who wishes to establish paternity so that he may exercise his child custody and visitation rights
• A potential or alleged father who may be ordered to pay support
• Issues involving inheritances and estates

As determined by law, a child born to a woman during marriage is presumed to be the husband's child. This assigns the husband complete rights, duties, and obligations as a parent despite the fact that he may not be the biological father. A formal adjudication of paternity can be established by the Court through the process of a paternity test.

In cases of an unwed mother, a man may come forward and acknowledge paternity and accept responsibility for the child, or the mother may petition the Court for such a determination.

When paternity of an out of wedlock child is called into question, hospital records and birth certificates are not enough to establish lawful paternity. Paternity (DNA) testing will be used to determine parentage. While DNA tests are considered sound proof of paternity, in some cases the results are questionable and may be challenged.

If you need legal assistance with paternity issues, please call us at (518) 218-7100 or email

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