Paternity is the establishment of the legal relationship between a child and father. When a child is born from unmarried parents, the child’s father has no legal rights until paternity is established. The law that deals with this is Minnesota Statutes § 257.541 A paternity case establishes the legal obligations and rights of the child’s father. If you want to establish paternity, an experienced Rochester paternity lawyer can help guide you through the legal process, as it can be a bit tricky to deal with all the ins and outs of Paternity law.
At Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office, Chtd., our family attorneys understand how complicated family law matters can be, especially when establishing paternity. We focus on finding solutions for families. Contact us today to discuss your paternity matter and begin making a plan to move forward.
A paternity action is filed to legally establish a child’s father. A paternity action can be commenced for a variety of reasons. Maybe a mother wants to establish paternity for child support. Or, a father may file a paternity action to initiate a parenting time schedule. No matter the reason, filing a paternity action will determine both parents’ legal obligations to the child. A knowledgeable Rochester lawyer can help explain the process of establishing paternity.
Paternity can be established when both parents sign a Recognition of Parentage, which states who the child’s father is. The document must be filed with the Minnesota Department of Health to become legally valid.
If the parents have not signed a Recognition of Parentage, paternity must then be established through court proceedings. As part of the court process, a DNA test may be ordered, but it is not required to establish paternity. A potential father can submit voluntarily to taking a DNA test. If the father does not agree to undergo a DNA test, the mother can request the court to order that the testing be completed. The court will hold a hearing and examine all of this evidence, including the DNA test results, if available, before issuing a court order regarding paternity. An experienced Rochester attorney can guide parents through the paternity process and protect their rights if any issues arise.
A father does not have any rights to have parenting time with a child until paternity is established. Once paternity is established, the father can seek custody and establish a parenting time schedule. Establishing paternity allows the father to have access to medical records, school records, and other legal documents regarding the child. The child will also have the benefit of knowing the father’s medical history, including any potential genetic disorders. Determining paternity allows the child to inherit from the father and receive benefits, such as veterans’ benefits or Social Security benefits. A Rochester lawyer can assist parents in establishing paternity and gaining legal recognition of the father-child relationship.
Legal rights for a father do not begin until paternity is established. Fathers may want to establish custody and parenting time through a paternity action, while a mother may want to seek financial assistance through child support. No matter the reason, determining paternity is a critical step for legally establishing the father-child relationship. A knowledgeable Rochester paternity lawyer can help you establish paternity and fiercely advocate for your rights.
The lawyers at Kohlmeyer Hagen Law Office, Chtd. work with families every day to find legal options to address complicated family law issues. Our experienced attorneys focus on finding solutions for parents and will work to protect your rights and serve your best interests. Get in touch with us today to get your paternity questions answered.
