Los Angeles Paternity Lawyer2024-07-19T19:45:11+00:00

Los Angeles Paternity Attorney

When a married couple, or a couple registered as domestic partners, has a child, there hardly ever tends to be a question as to who the child’s parents are. Typically, both parents’ names will appear on the birth certificate, and each parent becomes responsible for the emotional, physical, and mental well-being of that child, including any necessary financial care. When paternity becomes tricky to define, Los Angeles paternity attorneys can help clear things up.

When determining paternity becomes difficult, it can often leave the father out of their children’s lives unless they take the necessary legal steps to regain, or obtain, in the first place, their parental rights. Paternity is an important legal matter in Los Angeles, usually including a complicated legal process.

Our knowledgeable Los Angeles family law attorneys can come alongside you to help you establish parentage, dispute any conflicts that might arise, like alleged parentage, and help protect your rights along with the rights of the child.

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 Los Angeles family law and paternity attorney.

Paternity According to State Law

Paternity is the term used by the legal system in California to refer to the legal parents of a child. There are several ways that this paternity can become established. There are even some circumstances where the person who may qualify as the child’s legal parent is not actually their biological parent.

Other than the biological mother of the child, all other parents are placed into the following three categories:

  • Alleged parent. In most cases, fathers or other parents involved begin the process of paternity as alleged parents until anything to the contrary is proven. These parents have few legal rights, such as the right to be notified of any and all hearings and the right to establish and prove their presumed parentage. They may use a paternity test to show what their relationship is to the child.
  • Presumed parent. A presumed parent is someone who is named on the birth certificate of the child, if their parentage is established via court order, or if the person raised the child for a large amount of time as their own. These parents have legal rights to custody, visitation, and reunification.
  • Biological father. When a DNA test proves that someone is the biological father, or if the court system orders a paternity judgment, the person will be moved into the category of biological father. These people have many legal rights including the right to reunification if the courts determine that is in the best interest of the child.

Due to the complex nature of establishing paternity, it is prudent to seek guidance from a skilled and experienced Los Angeles, California, paternity lawyer.

Why You Should Choose The Dorie A. Rogers, APC

At The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, we pride ourselves on personalized and in-depth care and representation for all our clients. We take time to sit down with people and learn all that we can about the situation that they are facing. From there, we can determine the right course of action for you and your family. From DNA testing to fighting for your rights to child support, custody, and visitation, we can guide you through the entire process.

For over two decades, Dorie A. Rogers has committed her time to family law cases and helping those families negotiate the difficult situations that can often arise. She is an experienced litigator and is passionate about seeking a positive outcome for all her clients. No matter how complicated your paternity situation may be, Dorie A. Rogers has the knowledge and experience required to assist you through these strenuous cases.

Establishing Paternity in Los Angeles

In divorce cases or in the dissolution of domestic partnerships, child custody, support, and visitation can all be determined and agreed upon in private mediation sessions or inside a courtroom. If there was never a legal relationship established between the parents, paternity must first be established before any of these legal proceedings can take place. According to state law, this paternity can be determined in one of two ways:

  1. A voluntary declaration of paternity is signed by both parents. Parents who remain unwed can sign a voluntary declaration of paternity that states that the man is the father of the child. Legally binding, this document allows the father all the same responsibilities and legal rights as the child’s mother, which can include child support requirements and rights to child custody. If this document is signed upon the birth of the child, both of the parents will appear on the child’s birth certificate. If it is signed after the birth certificate is issued, a new certificate will need to be created with the names of both parents on it.
  2. The parent or parents involved have the ability to petition family court for a DNA test to be ordered: Individuals may have various reasons to petition the courts for a DNA test. The mother may be seeking background information on her child’s paternal family history, or the father may be hoping to pursue child visitation or custody right to be a part of his child’s life.

The courts will then order that the father, the mother, and the child all submit DNA samples for necessary genetic testing so that paternity may be determined.

How to Get a Paternity Test

A paternity test is a scientific test that can be used to establish the parentage of a child and determine who the biological father of that child is. There is a possibility of having a paternity test done before the child is even born if the mother is more than seven weeks pregnant. The test is often performed once the child is born, however.

Paternity can be determined via a blood and DNA test and there are various ways one can go about obtaining these tests. Kits to test at home are available and can be used. However, people are typically advised to seek professional testing through a credible agency, like a local child support agency.

Rights and Responsibilities After Paternity Is Established

Once the paternity of the child has been established and you are proven to be a legal parent of said child, you will now have certain rights and responsibilities. On the one hand, you will have the right to request visitation and child custody so you can be a part of the life of your child, but it may also mean you will become responsible for paying child support to cover your child’s essential needs.

In addition to these rights and responsibilities, you have the opportunity to give your child a complete identity, allowing them to be grounded in who they are and where they come from. These things can prove essential to the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of a child and can assist in:

  • Personal security.
  • An increase in self-esteem.
  • An establishment of family identity.
  • Confirming a medical health or genetic issue history.
  • Gaining access to aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents.
  • Allowing more access to social and financial resources such as health insurance, inheritance, Social Security, and other similar benefits.

Establishing paternity can do wonders for children and widen the number of people in their lives who could have a positive impact on them. If you desire help in determining paternity and fighting for your parental rights, a trusted Los Angeles paternity lawyer is here to help.

Once the paternity of the child has been established and you are proven to be a legal parent of said child, you will now have certain rights and responsibilities. On the one hand, you will have the right to request visitation and child custody so you can be a part of the life of your child, but it may also mean you will become responsible for paying child support to cover your child’s essential needs.

In addition to these rights and responsibilities, you have the opportunity to give your child a complete identity, allowing them to be grounded in who they are and where they come from. These things can prove essential to the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of a child and can assist in:

  • Personal security.
  • An increase in self-esteem.
  • An establishment of family identity.
  • Confirming a medical health or genetic issue history.
  • Gaining access to aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents.
  • Allowing more access to social and financial resources such as health insurance, inheritance, Social Security, and other similar benefits.

Establishing paternity can do wonders for children and widen the number of people in their lives who could have a positive impact on them. If you desire help in determining paternity and fighting for your parental rights, a trusted Los Angeles paternity lawyer is here to help.

The Importance of Establishing Paternity for Child Support and Visitation

When seeking visitation rights with your child or potential custody, it is crucial to establish your parentage. Without doing so, you have no legal ties to your child. Similarly, if you are the mother of a child and paternity has not been established, the other parent has no legal obligation to owe you child support because you have no grounds to request said support until paternity is established.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Dispute Paternity?

A: To dispute paternity in the state, your first step is to take a paternity test. It may be enough for the judge to rule in your favor during a paternity dispute hearing if you — as the alleged parent — complete a DNA test that proves you are not the biological father of the child.

Q: How Long Does a Father Have to Establish Paternity?

A: There is no set statute of limitations on the establishment of paternity in the state. It can, however, be prudent to establish paternity as soon as possible. You might sign a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage at the hospital when the child is born and have the ability to create a legal parent relationship with your child there and then.

Q: Can You Sue for False Paternity?

A: Yes, in California, you can sue for false paternity. If someone claims to be the father of your child and you believe them to be incorrect, you have the legal ability to file a claim seeking compensation and damages, along with a court-ordered paternity test that can prove the true parentage of your child.

Q: How Does One Get a Court-Ordered Paternity Test?

A: In order to secure a court-ordered paternity test in the state, there are several steps one must take. First, you must submit a petition for the establishment of a parental relationship. Following this, you must comply with court guidelines and procedures for taking and submitting the test, which is the third step. Finally, the testing results will be received and interpreted before a judgment is made.

Contact a Trusted Los Angeles Paternity Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love is experiencing paternity issues in Los Angeles, or if you are trying to establish your right to paternity, it is vital to retain the counsel of an experienced paternity lawyer who is well-versed and knowledgeable in Los Angeles family law. If you are a man seeking custody or visitation rights, or if you are a mother trying to gain child support payments, it is time to seek a licensed paternity test with the help of trusted counsel.

Contact The Dorie A. Rogers, APC, today to see how she and her team of skilled law professionals can help you navigate these complex legal cases. These situations might feel overwhelming and anxiety-inducing, but you don’t have to face them alone.

Reviews Quotes
“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.

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