The Importance Of Paternity
From birth, a child has the legal right to a mother and a father, regardless of the marital status of the parents. This gives the child access to important benefits and inheritance rights. For this reason, the formal recognition of paternity is crucial. Paternity can establish a legal relationship between a father and a child born to unwed parents, and assist parents who were never married to establish custody, placement and support for their child.
At the law firm of Gagne McChrystal De Lorenzo & Burghardt, we understand that paternity can be a complicated process and offer a variety of approaches to resolution. Whether through mediation, collaboration or the traditional adversarial process, we can assist you.
Paternal Rights Protect Parents And Children
Though you may still plan to marry your partner, it is best to establish paternity for your child early on. This ensures that, should anything happen to one parent, the child remains protected. Parents involved in this situation first need to legally confirm the father’s identity. In some instances, this may involve genetic testing.
Once paternity is officially established, parents can then address matters such as:
- Legal custody
- Physical placement
- Child support determination
- Health insurance and expenses
- Tax dependency allocation
- Birth expenses
Paternity is not only beneficial to a child, but also to both parents. In determining paternity, a father protects his rights to a relationship with his child — allowing him to remain involved in the parenting process. At the same time, the child is given the security of benefiting from both parents’ support and involvement.
Establish Paternity With The Help Of A Lawyer
If you are facing a complex paternity case and require legal guidance, we encourage you to consult with one of our attorneys. Over the years, our work with families in and around Milwaukee has earned us the respect of our peers. Let us help you better understand your legal options and set realistic goals for your case.
At our Wisconsin-based firm, we strive to guide our clients in a manner that benefits their children. Contact us today to have your case reviewed by a knowledgeable legal team. You can call 414-273-5551 to schedule your consultation or send us an inquiry via email.