When a baby is born, it is most often a joyous event for everyone involved. When paternity is questioned, this joyous event can turn into a stressful one. Since there are many legal ramifications of becoming a parent, it is imperative a father never has to question whether or not he is the parent of the child. Is a paternity test warranted? If there are any doubts in a person’s mind, it is important to have a test done so they can be sure they are the father.
When a man becomes a father, he is immediately held responsible for child support, even if he and the mother were never married or even in a relationship. The man will be ordered to pay child support until the child becomes eighteen. He may also be required to carry health insurance on the child. If the man is tested and found not to be the father, all the legal issues are no longer a requirement.
It is important that a man seeks help from a lawyer if he feels he is not the biological father of a baby. This can help him to either establish he is the father or free him from caring for a child that is not his own.
Paternity testing is a quick procedure that involves swabbing the inside of the man’s and baby’s cheeks. These swabs are sent to a lab that will compare the two DNA samples. It normally takes a week to two to hear back from the lab with the results. The results will tell whether or not the man is the father and the probability percentage of the results being correct. If a man is found to be the father with at least 97% accuracy, the court will hold him legally responsible for child support.
Is a paternity test warranted? If you need legal help with your paternity testing, Trust in Our Experience. We can help you through the entire process so you can have the answers you need. Call us today and allow us to meet with you, so we can help you understand your rights and get the testing process started as soon as possible.
