There are several steps that can be taken to establish paternity. DNA testing is one of them and has become increasingly popular due to its reliability and accuracy. In addition to genetic testing, parents may also sign a voluntary declaration of paternity at their local health department or vital statistics office with assistance from an attorney. If both parents agree on who the father is but choose not to sign this document, a court order can still be obtained if legal action is pursued by either party. The DNA test will still need to be completed in this case as well prior to making a final decision. With any of these methods, paternity can be effectively established and ensure the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved are properly addressed.
To Determine Biological Parental Identity, Individuals May Reach Out to the Child Support Agency in Their AreaEstablishing parentage is an important first step in securing child support. Fortunately, your local child support agency (LCSA) can help do this without charge. LCSA is part of the state Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), and they provide services to families in every county. With their help, parents can obtain a child support order, making sure children receive the financial and medical support they need to succeed in life.
The process of establishing parentage through your local child support agency begins with filing an Eddcom 707 form and some other paperwork, if necessary. This form establishes legal guardianship of the child so that a valid order for child support may be granted from the court. The documentation provided must include proof of paternity or maternity and any other evidence relevant to the case such as proof of age, marriage documents, etc. All these steps are taken free of charge by LCSA for established parentage; however, this does not guarantee a positive outcome as it depends entirely upon the adjudication in court proceedings.
One Option for Establishing Parentage is to Go to Court YourselfEstablishing parentage is an important legal step for many parents and families. If you want to handle your own case to establish parentage, there are several steps you must complete on your own. You will need to fill out, serve, and file court forms as well as potentially have a trial before a judge. Parents have signed a voluntary declaration of parentage or paternity and are unmarried, a parentage case is not necessary.
Establishing parentage is an important legal step for many parents and families. If you want to handle your own case to establish parentage, there are several steps you must complete on your own. You will need to fill out, serve, and file court forms as well as potentially have a trial before a judge.
A parentage case can be initiated by either parent to establish parentage and request orders related to custody, visitation, and child support. However, if the parents are unmarried but have signed a voluntary declaration of parentage or paternity, a parentage case is not necessary.
Depending on the individual situation, establishing parental rights can be both time-consuming and legally complex. In these cases, it might be best to seek professional help such as an attorney or local family law facilitator who can provide assistance with navigating the court process. Many state courts also offer information about this process online which may be helpful in certain instances. Ultimately, seeking legal counsel may be beneficial when establishing one's parental rights in order to receive the best possible outcome from the situation.
Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney in TexasAn experienced family law attorney in Harris County, Galveston County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, Houston, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Stafford, Texas at Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, can help you explain and navigate the entire case process. Contact us today at www.thorntonesquirelawgroup.com for a free consultation.