When a mother gives birth to a child, the law presumes that the mother's husband is the child's father. However, if the mother was not married at that time, her child will lack some of the rights held by children born to married couples, such as financial support from the father and access to his health insurance coverage.

Establishing paternity is the procedure for getting the state to recognize a man as the father of the child.  When the parents establish paternity, they give the child legal proof of the father's identity as well as access to the medical history of the father should medical complications later arise.  Establishing paternity also allows the mother to seek a court order for child support or child custody.  For the father, he can also seek child custody or visitation, and have a say in legal decisions that affect his child.

If the father does not contest paternity, he may acknowledge his child by signing a form.  However, in some cases, biological fathers may be reluctant to assume responsibility.  In such an instance, the mother may have to obtain a court order for genetic testing, or offer other evidence of the father's paternity.

The legal team at Stephen Bilkis & Associates understands the legal issues at stake in establishing paternity and we are ready to help you resolve your paternity issues. Our firm represents clients located in the New York area.

To set up a FREE consultation, contact us online or call us at 1-800-NY-NY-LAW