When to Speak With a Paternity Lawyer
If child custody and visitation are issues in your case and you were not married to the other parent, you may need to file a paternity case. Having the advice of a knowledgeable and experienced paternity attorney can be beneficial. Families in Sacramento and surrounding communities often seek legal guidance when establishing parentage. If you and the other parent cannot reach an agreement on custody or visitation, contact the Law Office of David C. Watts for a free consultation and case analysis.
Legal Support for Your Paternity Case
A paternity lawyer provides legal guidance in establishing parentage, enabling the court to issue orders regarding child custody, visitation, and child support for unmarried parents. Often, with the assistance of an attorney experienced in paternity, custody, and visitation matters, parents can resolve their differences and avoid a lengthy court process. Regardless of whether you reach an agreement or not, paperwork may still need to be filed with the court. The Law Office of David C. Watts has the experience to guide you through this court process.
Understanding Paternity in California
If you have a child with someone to whom you were never married, a paternity action may be required to involve the court system. In a divorce proceeding, children born during the marriage are presumed to be the children of the married couple. However, when the parents are not married, the court must first establish paternity, often with the assistance of paternity attorneys or a parentage attorney.
Once paternity is established, the court has the authority to make orders in child custody & visitation as well as child support. The proceedings from there are the same as if the parties were married. However, since there was no marriage, the issues of property division and spousal support are not relevant. Contrary to what some believe, California does not recognize or award “palimony”, meaning a person generally cannot receive financial support (other than child support) from a former partner to whom they were not married, which is why many people consult a paternity case lawyer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paternity Cases
In most cases, both parents are involved in the legal process of establishing paternity. The court may review documentation, voluntary declarations of parentage, or DNA testing when necessary to determine legal parentage.
When choosing a paternity lawyer, it is important to look for an attorney with experience handling paternity cases and parentage matters under California family law. Many people consult paternity attorneys or a parentage attorney who understands how paternity cases can affect child custody, visitation, and child support. An experienced paternity case lawyer can help explain your legal rights, guide you through the court process, and work toward a resolution that protects your interests and those of your child.
Once paternity is legally established, paternity attorneys can assist with requesting court orders related to custody, visitation, and child support. They can also help ensure that parental rights and responsibilities are properly addressed under California law.
You should contact a paternity attorney if you need to legally establish paternity, resolve disputes regarding fatherhood, or address related issues such as custody or child support. A parentage attorney can help guide you through the legal process and ensure the proper court procedures are followed.
A paternity lawyer helps individuals establish or challenge legal parentage through the court system. Once parentage is established, the court can address related matters such as child custody, visitation, and child support.
