If you are a father in Georgia, you might need to establish paternity at some point in your life. This could be an important step, as it proves that you are indeed the biological father of the child in question. Fortunately, this process should be relatively easy – especially if you work alongside an experienced family law attorney in Georgia.
Why Do I Need to Establish Paternity?
Establishing paternity is not necessary for every father. If you are married to the woman who birthed the child, you are “assumed” to be the biological father under Georgia law. If you later divorce, you remain the legal biological father even if a DNA test never took place.
You may need to establish paternity if you doubt whether you are the biological father of the child. For example, the mother may falsely claim you are the father. You might realize that the dates simply do not add up, and there is no way you could be the real father.
Alternatively, the mother might try to claim that you are not the biological father. If you were never married to the mother, you might need to prove your paternity in order to enjoy your full parental rights. If you do not prove paternity, the mother could theoretically prevent you from spending time with the child, making childcare decisions, and taking various other steps as a legitimate father.
Sometimes, proving paternity is mandatory under Georgia law. According to the Division of Child Support Services, paternity testing is required for all newly established child support cases. As long as paternity is in doubt, you must go through paternity testing via local Superior Courts or Administrative Courts.
How Do I Prove Paternity in Georgia?
The process of proving paternity is relatively simple. The entire process is overseen and facilitated by family courts in Georgia. According to a court order, you will provide a DNA sample. The DNA sample will be compared to the DNA of the child in question, and the result will help parents determine paternity.
What Happens After I Prove Paternity?
After you prove paternity, you will have many new rights as a parent. You will have the right to spend time with your child, and you may pursue shared or full physical custody. In other words, the child may stay at your residence for a certain period of time each month. You may also have the right to make decisions about the child’s life. For example, you might have an equal say in the child’s healthcare, education, and religion.
Note that in addition to parental rights, you may also incur parental responsibilities after proving paternity. For example, you might need to pay child support for many years. You might also face various consequences if you fail to care for your child in a responsible manner.
Find an Experienced Family Law Attorney in Georgia
If you have been searching for an experienced paternity lawyer in Georgia, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. Over the years, we have helped numerous fathers fight for their paternal rights. With our assistance, you can navigate this entire process with confidence. Reach out today to discuss the most appropriate course of legal action based on your unique situation.
