In most cases, it is difficult to deny that a woman is the mother of a child, but sometimes, a father may need additional legal documentation to establish paternity. The law requires certain paperwork proof for a father and a mother to be recognized as parents with equal rights over a child’s life.
A Kent paternity lawyer could help you both get that documentation or fight for your parental rights as a father if you are being denied. At Lutz & Associates, our family law attorneys know that sometimes unwed parents do not get listed on an infant’s hospital paperwork or parents may separate before a child is born, but the father still has the right to be part of their life. Our attorneys could ensure all parties’ legal rights are represented, while also protecting the best interests of the child.
How Do You Establish Paternity?
Under the Revised Code of Washington § 26.26A.115, an infant is presumed to be the child of the mother and her spouse, regardless of gender, meaning same-sex couples do not need to adopt or otherwise establish parentage of their child. However, this presumption may be overcome in a civil trial. If a father is not married to the mother, there are other alternatives to establish paternity.
Both parents can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity, which is a simple form signed by both parents, agreeing on who the child’s father is. This form is available at the hospital and at the state health department.
Any interested party, including yourself, the mother, or even a child, may also file a Petition to Establish Paternity. After hearing the case, a court may order a DNA test to confirm the alleged father’s paternity or find sufficient evidence to prove paternity without a DNA test. Depending on your situation, our dedicated team of lawyers in Kent could help you determine which avenue of establishing paternity is right for you and your family.
Reasons to Establish Paternity
Washington recognizes that both parents have a right to be part of their children’s lives, functioning under the presumption that children are better off when they have two parents, even if they are not living together. Parents also have a legal responsibility to support their children, even if they are not living with them.
Before a judge can issue any child support or custody orders, the father must be identified as the father of the child or children in question. For this reason, both parents have an interest in establishing paternity. Once the Petition has been filed and the hearing has taken place, the parents can:
- Request child support orders
- Request visitation and custody arrangements
- Place the father on school records and emergency contact lists
- Put the child on the father’s health insurance and other benefits
A Kent paternity attorney could assist both fathers and mothers with the documentation needed to begin the legal process. We realize this is a delicate process for parents, and want it to be stress-free for both parties, which is why we provide compassionate, communicative, and strategic guidance to families we serve. We have decades of experience with family law concerns because family law is all we do.
Get Legal Advice from an Experienced Paternity Lawyer in Kent
Paternity cases may be tense situations, particularly if one party feels they were deceived in some way. It is important to remember that both of you are working for the same cause, the best interests of your child. At Lutz & Associates, P.S., we work with both parents to ensure the needs of parents and children are met, while helping parents avoid friction that could cause issues in the future. When you have paternity or other family law matters, we are here to help. Please call us at (206) 518-9699 or reach us online to get started when you are ready.
