Helping Clients Deal With Paternity Issues
Many individuals decide to live together instead of marriage. When a child is born in these situations, or any situation where the parents are not married to each other, paternity can be a complicated issue.
In California, either parent can bring an action to establish paternity. Once paternity is established, all legal guidelines for child custody and child support apply.
At the Orange County Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, we understand the emotional and financial issues you may be facing. Whether you wish to establish or dispute paternity, we can help. Attorney Dorie A. Rogers has nearly 30 years of family law experience. She understands the sometimes-complicated issues involved in paternity actions. She can help evaluate your situation and provide real-world advice to help you find a satisfactory conclusion.
Establishing Paternity
As a mother, you have the right to establish paternity for your child. If you are the custodial parent, you would be entitled to child support and other financial obligations. Time is of the essence for these actions. If you do not file a paternity action quickly, you may lose certain rights.
Santa Ana Father's Rights Attorney
If you believe you are the father of a child, you can seek paternity. Once you are legally determined to be the father, you can assert your custodial rights. It is important to seek out paternity as soon as possible.
The courts often look at the status quo when deciding to grant your right to seek paternity. They look at the length of time your child remained in its mother's custody without you. If you wait too long, you could have a harder time arguing for custody and visitation.
Disputing Paternity
If you wish to dispute a paternity claim, we can help you through the process. Timing is critical because there are legal time limitations on DNA testing and other presumptions that may affect your case.
Call Us Today for Guidance
For more information, or to schedule a consultation with a lawyer, please call us at 714-602-1492 or you may send us an e-mail.
