Chino Hills Paternity Lawyer

Being a parent is a different experience for everyone. As your needs and your life are constantly changing, you may be confronted with the issue of paternity. Whether you’re a father who wants to share custody or you’re a mother who needs child support, proving paternity can help both parents and children in a variety of circumstances. If you or someone you love are dealing with paternity issues here in Chino Hills, bring your case to our Chino Hills paternity lawyers today.

Your Chino Hills Paternity Attorneys

Paternity tends to be one of the more complex areas of family law. Because of this, working with a skilled family lawyer who has experience with paternity cases is crucial. At All American Law, our team of family law attorneys has spent decades working through cases that establish and dispute parentage. We understand that complications may come along with your case and are prepared to offer legal support that advocates for both you and your child’s rights.

Paternity in California: The Basics

Paternity is a term that refers to the blood relationship between a father and their child. When paternity is proven, this establishes a father’s legal responsibility to care for their child and provide them with financial support. The extent to which a father is required to be in a child’s life will depend on a variety of circumstances and why paternity was requested in the first place.

Generally, paternity tests are requested when:

• A father wants physical or legal custody, but the mother won’t allow it.
• A mother needs child support, but a father won’t pay it.
• A father doesn’t believe a child is his.
• Family members want to adopt or care for a child but need to prove their relationship first.

What Legal Rights Come with Proving Paternity in California?

When paternity is established in California, it also grants a father varying rights and responsibilities. For fathers who have been trying to be a part of their children’s lives, proving paternity may finally give them the opportunity to share child custody. For mothers who have been parenting alone, they will finally have the opportunity to legally request child support.

The following are the varying rights and responsibilities that are granted when a father establishes paternity in California:

• The right to file for physical and legal custody of their child.
• The responsibility to help meet the basic needs of their child.
• The responsibility to pay child support if they separate from the child’s mother
• The right to request visitation rights if certain custody is not granted.

Why Should You Work with a Chino Hills Paternity Law Firm?

Because paternity deals with the lives of fathers, mothers, and their children, cases involving parentage matters can easily become complicated. Retaining a Chino Hills paternity attorney is a good idea to help your legal proceedings go as smoothly as possible. By working with a family lawyer who is experienced with establishing parentage, you can trust that you’ll receive the guidance needed to make choices that are right for you.

In addition to basic guidance, you’ll also receive strong representation during private settlements or in the courtroom. At All American Law, our family law attorneys have worked through countless paternity cases and know how to fight for outcomes that our clients need. Don’t go through a complex paternity case on your own, and consult one of our compassionate, experienced lawyers for help today.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Paternity and Establish Parentage in California?

A: To prove paternity in California, both parents must either file a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VODP) or request a DNA test from the court. With a VODP, parents do not need to go to court and can establish their parentage by submitting their document. Generally, this document is signed when a child is born at a hospital. If parents try to establish paternity later in the child’s life, they’ll most likely have to take a DNA test to prove it.

Q: Can a Father Refuse a Paternity Test in California?

A: In Chino Hills, CA, If you are legally requested to take a paternity test, you cannot simply refuse to do it. This is because it is a court-mandated order. If a father who is asked to take a paternity test ignores the court’s request or refuses to do so, he may be held in contempt of court in California. If he is held in contempt, he may face penalties such as fines or even jail time, depending on the severity of the case.

Q: Do You Have to Pay for a Paternity Test in California?

A: The circumstances in which the test was requested will impact whether or not someone has to pay. If two parents decide on their own, outside of court, that they want a DNA test, they’ll most likely have to pay for it themselves. If paternity becomes a legal issue, however, you will not have to pay for a court-mandated DNA test as it’s covered by the government.

Q: How Long Does a Father Have to Be Absent to Lose His Rights in California?

A: While every relationship may have its ups and downs, a parent cannot simply leave for months and not care for their child without consequences, even if a divorce occurs. If a father leaves their child for more than six months in California and does not exercise any of their parental rights, such as caring for their child or paying child support, this is classified as parental abandonment. If a parent is considered to have abandoned their child, they lose their parental rights.

Legal Representation for Chino Hills Paternity Cases

Whether you’ve been separated from your child or you’ve been parenting on your own, proving paternity can help fathers, mothers, and children alike. At All American Law, our team is committed to offering exceptional family law services that make a difference in our clients’ lives. If you or someone you love are looking for legal assistance in a Chino Hills paternity case, contact All American Law for a free consultation today.