Irvine Paternity Lawyer & Law Firm

Irvine Paternity Attorney

Being a parent can be an incredible joy, but it tends to come with serious responsibilities as well. Whether you are trying to receive child support or prove your genetic relationship to a child, paternity cases can be helpful but also incredibly difficult to navigate alone. Fortunately, with the help of an Irvine paternity lawyer, you can pursue answers, a relationship with your child, and peace of mind.

Irvine Practice Areas

At The Dorie A. Rogers, APC

We assist both women and men in a broad range of paternity matters, including filing paternity lawsuits and defending against paternity actions. With more than 30 years of experience and a long history of proven results, we have the knowledge and resources to help you understand your rights and intelligently navigate the paternity process.

Whether you wish to establish or dispute paternity, timing is of the essence. If you wait too long, you may lose certain rights. California state law allows an individual to establish paternity of a child up to three months following the child’s 18th birthday. If a child is born to married parents, the state automatically assumes the husband is the father. If the husband has doubts, he has two years to secure a court order for a blood test to establish paternity. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced Orange County paternity attorney.

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Why Would I Request a Paternity Test?

There are many different reasons that an individual may seek to perform a paternity test, and hiring an Irvine paternity lawyer can help move the process along in a smooth and controlled manner.

You are a mother looking to receive child support. In 2023, 40% of all births that occurred were to unmarried women. Getting a paternity test can open up the opportunity to apply for child support, regardless of whether or not you were ever married to the father. Child support can make raising a child far more affordable, and it gives the father of the child an opportunity to invest in your shared child’s life.
You are a father who is questioning parentage. In 2022, a study was published in “Human Reproduction” that examined collected data from 1,211 men who sought out paternity testing services in the United States.

When the results were reviewed, it was revealed that roughly 11% were not the biological fathers of the children they were raising. If you doubt that you are, in fact, the child’s father, taking a paternity test can bring some clarity to the situation and may free you from various responsibilities that apply to biological parents.

How Does a Paternity Case Work in California?

Filing for paternity is a three-step process:

File a petition for paternity with the California court system, and then serve all relevant parties with a court summons. You will need to include all applicable documentation about your child and your relationship to them.
You and everyone else involved must attend a pretrial hearing. This is when the court will examine the case and decide whether to move forward with your paternity claim.
Undergo genetic testing and submit the DNA gathered to a paternity testing company. Once you have done this, all you can do is wait until the results are in. Your lawyer can help you strategize once you know what you are dealing with.

How May I Benefit From the Help of an Irvine Paternity Lawyer?

Family legal cases can often become messy and unproductive when there is no third party involved. Even when parents set out with admirable intentions, their children can get caught in the legal crossfire of their desired outcomes. Hiring an Irvine paternity lawyer can help you avoid getting lost in the emotional melee instead of moving your case along and making actual progress.

If your case cannot be resolved outside of the California court system, your lawyer can schedule time for you to resolve your case at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, which is conveniently located and handles a wide variety of family law cases. Your lawyer can answer any questions that you may have about what a court case may look like and how to prepare efficiently.

FAQs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Paternity Lawyer?

Each paternity case is different, so the price one may pay when hiring an Irvine paternity lawyer tends to reflect this. Your situation comes with its own unique set of variables, all of which can impact the amount of time your case requires to reach a resolution, as well as the overall level of complexity you may be facing. Dorie A. Rogers, APC, can help you build a case that feels worthy of your expenditure and the time you may put in.

Can I Represent Myself in My Paternity Case in California?

Yes. It is legal to represent yourself in your own paternity case in California. While you are free to do so, many individuals have found that hiring a paternity lawyer can improve your clarity, likelihood of success, and peace of mind exponentially. As you pursue answers and action, your lawyer can walk alongside you from the start of your case until it is resolved, providing wisdom, compassion, and beneficial insight the entire way.

What Is Considered Parentage in California?

A legal relationship between a parent/child in California can be determined through either of the following means:

The legal marital presumption means that if two people are married to each other and live with each other when the child is conceived, they are the legal parents of the child, no matter their genetic relationship.
If DNA testing proves that the child shares DNA with a person, that person will be considered the legal parent. This is why paternity tests can be so helpful for these kinds of cases.

How Long Will It Take for My Paternity Case to Resolve?

It can be difficult to determine how much time you will need to spend on your case, as every paternity case in California stems from a unique set of circumstances. Courthouse delays, personal schedules, and waiting for the paternity test to come back can all take time. Hiring Dorie A. Rogers, APC, can help you keep your case on track as she works to protect you from making easy mistakes that can lead to lasting setbacks, giving you clarity and confidence.

Get Help Today

While shared DNA is not required to make you a parent, it can provide helpful information when it comes to making legal decisions about your child. Still, this can be incredibly complex and overwhelming, especially if you are handling your case all on your own. Fortunately, you do not need to do so. Hiring an Irvine paternity lawyer can prove to be incredibly beneficial and monumentally helpful.

When you hire Dorie A. Rogers, APC, to handle your case, you can trust that she can factor in every aspect of your unique situation, building a compelling case and helping you adjust to the various information you may uncover. You deserve to pursue a healthy and happy future for your family and yourself, and having a family lawyer walk this journey with you can bring clarity to an otherwise confusing and complex process.

“Dorie is a very powerful attorney and a great asset to have on your side in any family legal matter. She is extremely bright and insightful, and I got everything I asked for in my lawsuit.”

Brit B.

“I would strongly recommend Ms. Dorie Rogers for any legal needs. During my Divorce proceedings, Dorie’s professionalism, expertise in Divorce Law and legal skill helped bring my case to a close in both a timely and mutually agreeable manner.
Additionally, Dorie took the time to understand me and my background to better represent me in my case. She showed a level of caring and concern that helped me through a very difficult time. She is an outstanding lawyer and wonderful person.”

Alan M. Greenberg

“Second to none – I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Dorie to anyone. She was my attorney for my divorce and custody case. She will do everything it takes to get the job done and all with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and expertise will assist anyone in a family law situation get the results they want.”

Todd M.

Irvine Paternity Lawyer