Manhattan Paternity Attorney

How Paternity Affects Custody, Visitation and Support

Are you currently dealing with a legal matter involving establishing paternity? This family law matter may be difficult to deal with, particularly because it is not only legal in nature but because it may be an emotionally charged situation as well. A Manhattan paternity attorney can help ensure the process goes smoothly while protecting your rights.

Paternity may be established by acknowledgement, if both parties (mother and father) agree. This must be completed in writing and filed with the birth registrar. If paternity is in question or denied by either party, however, then a legal proceeding to establish paternity may be filed by the mother or the alleged father. In Manhattan, paternity will be established by way of a judicial hearing. Before DNA testing was readily available, establishing paternity was more complex and less definite. Today, however, establishing a man as the father of a child is much easier. If a DNA test indicates the probability that a man is the biological father by 95% or more, this will indicate a presumption of paternity unless challenged by either party.

Once paternity is established, the court will have the authority to award child support. The father may also have the legal right to seek visitation rights or shared custody of the child, although the final determination of these matters may vary depending on the particular situation.

Manhattan Paternity Lawyer

You may have different objectives in seeking legal assistance in a Manhattan paternity case. You may wish to disprove paternity in order to avoid child support obligations or to ensure custody or visitation are not awarded. Or, you may wish to establish paternity in order to seek child support or to seek custody or visitation rights. Regardless of your particular situation, it is important that you have an experienced Manhattan divorce attorney to properly represent your interests and legal rights.