Paternity refers to the legal status of being the father of a child. When someone is recognized as the legal father of a child, he is given specific parental rights and responsibilities. Once paternity is established, a father will have legal rights as a custodial parent, visitation rights, and financial obligations.
We have a wealth of experience in family law at the Law Office of Kelly Koch, and we are well-versed in the peculiar legal process and regulations.
When the biological father’s identity is in question, paternity law offices may be called in to settle parental rights and custody issues with the noncustodial parent. In these cases, the court will order a DNA test. The results of this test are then used to establish a legal parent-child relationship and calculate child support for the father.
Even if the biological father chooses not to participate in family law matters, he is still financially obligated to pay child support. Our family law firm can provide legal advice, assist you in filing a paternity lawsuit, and represent you in a paternity case.
We are very familiar with the Uniform Parentage Act, which outlines three procedures for proving paternity in Texas.
Testing of the mother is not required if she is aware that she is the child’s biological mother. Testing of the mother may be advised in some uncommon unique circumstances, such as mutation or potential dads who are family.
In Corpus Christ, TX, a family law attorney can divide the kit and mail each component separately if the test subjects reside in other cities.
Divorce can be as complicated as it is painful, and breaking up with someone is never easy. Many divorcees wonder what aspects will be important and whether their marriage will be treated differently than other marriages. Some people are unsure whether they are legally married at all.
Experienced child custody lawyers will assist you in navigating sole custody and the divorce process easily. Divorce may be as complex as it is painful, and ending a marriage is never easy. Many divorced people wonder what aspects will matter and whether their marriage will be treated fairly.
Paternity is presumed to be established automatically in Texas if the parents are married at the time of the child’s birth. The husband will be considered the child’s legal father, and his name will appear on the birth certificate.
If the child’s parents are not married, the state of Texas will consider the child to be without a legal father until paternity is formally established. After that, the father will have full parental rights and responsibilities for the child, and his name will appear on the birth certificate.
A voluntary Acknowledgement of Fatherhood can be used to establish paternity in Texas. When a relationship is voluntarily entered into, both the mother and father are present, and the father is the biological father. Both the mother and father must sign the Acknowledgement of Paternity. The Acknowledgement of Paternity is typically signed in the hospital immediately following the baby’s birth. However, signing the Paternity Acknowledgement there is not required.
Hiring our paternity lawyers to enhance legal representation in child custody or family dispute has numerous benefits. This includes:
We defend people and families in family law and child custody cases throughout South Texas at the Law Office of Kelly Koch. We help people going through a divorce with their legal needs as well as those related to other family law issues such as visitation schedules, child support, and child adoptions. As we guide clients through the process, we anticipate developments and obstacles, as well as determine and act in their best interests.
Since 1989, Kelly Koch has worked as a family lawyer dealing with family matters. She has had a lot of success resolving the issues our clients are dealing with. Our clients feel secure and at ease thanks to her competence in this field. We also represent clients dealing with child custody disputes and other legal issues.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation for legal representation if you need family lawyers.