Establishing Paternity

If you want to determine and establish the paternity of a child you believe to be yours, there are two things you need to complete.

The two most important parts to this process are DNA testing and a court order. Once the court order has been filed, the legal process will start. Depending on the mother of the child, DNA testing may not be a difficult process. However, if the mother refuses to submit the child to DNA testing, the father will have to request a court order. In order to be successful in getting a court order, the burden of proof rests on the father to show that there is good reason to believe he is the biological father.

Even if you submit a court order for DNA testing, the court does not have to accept it. One example of this is when the father fails to pursue paternity for a long period of time after knowing about his child. When the DNA testing results are returned, a hearing will be held to share the results. At that time, the court can issue a paternity order if he is indeed the biological father.

Have questions about paternity?  Contact us to get answers from a Riverside family law attorney.