Eastvale Paternity Lawyer

Paternity Attorney in Eastvale, CA

Watching your child grow is one of the greatest joys of any parent. Establishing paternity in California and being granted custodial rights over your children can be beneficial for mothers, fathers, and children alike. To learn more about paternity laws and establish parentage in Eastvale, a dedicated Eastvale, CA paternity lawyer from the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic can guide you through the process. Our legal team can help you understand what the parental rights are in California family law to ensure your interests are fully protected.

About the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic

At the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, our legal team is devoted to assisting families, parents, and California residents throughout the state with complex family law matters, including paternity cases. Whether you need to establish paternity so you can gain custody of your child or you need to prove who your child’s father is so you can request child support, our experienced family law attorney can help you achieve your goals.

What Is Paternity in California?

In a legal sense, paternity is the term used to describe the legal responsibility of being a father. Paternity is generally established through genetic testing or through voluntary declaration at the hospital when a baby is born. Paternity law in California focuses on cases concerning a father’s rights and responsibilities. It is often a primary step for parents to learn if a paternity test is required for child support in California before moving forward with financial claims. Common paternity cases seen in Eastvale include:

• A father seeking to gain custodial rights
• A mother establishing paternity to request child support payments
• A father requesting genetic testing to prove he is not the child’s legal father

How Is Paternity Proven in California?

In California, proving paternity also establishes a father’s legal responsibility to care for their child. Legal issues such as child support, custody, and inheritance laws all stem from the parent-child relationships and proving paternity. Many states, including California, allow a father to have equal custody of his child once paternity is established.

Under California law, fathers have two main options for establishing paternity:

• Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP). This form allows parents to establish paternity without court proceedings or genetic testing in California. This declaration is especially advantageous to unmarried parents who wish to secure the father’s legal status and his right to make decisions about the child’s education, medical care, and establish health insurance and other benefits.
• Court-Ordered Paternity Testing. This method of establishing paternity is usually triggered by a party who wishes to secure biological confirmation of fatherhood or challenge another party’s claim to be the biological father. After a petition to the Riverside Superior Court, the court will mandate DNA analysis to determine paternity.

Genetic testing is one of the most conclusive methods of determining paternity. Once paternity is confirmed, the father assumes legal responsibility for the child, including financial responsibilities such as child support. Legal recognition of paternity also allows a father to seek visitation rights, and even full or partial custody in some cases, enabling them to be involved in their child’s life.

It’s crucial to speak with a skilled paternity attorney who can explain the legal process of establishing paternity and confirming parentage, as well as guide you through your legal proceedings.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity in California

According to recent data, more than 2 million women and children live in single-mother households in California, demonstrating the sheer prevalence of children without fathers in their lives. When paternity is established in California, mothers, fathers, and children can all benefit from the comfort of knowing a father’s legal rights and responsibilities are clear.

Once proof of paternity is secured, a father can explore his options regarding custody and visitation. In California, the courts always prioritize the child’s best interests, and having an involved, loving father in a child’s life is one of the most beneficial relationships a child can have. When a father receives the results of a paternity test, it enables him to pursue his paternal rights and establish a relationship with his child by creating a new custody agreement.

Mothers also benefit when a father is involved and shares the responsibilities of child-rearing, easing the financial burdens of single parenthood. In some cases, especially in circumstances where the mother is no longer living or the mother has been proven to represent a potential danger to the child’s well-being, a father can be granted full custody of their child. An Eastvale, CA paternity lawyer can help you explore the benefits that come with establishing paternity in California.

FAQs

Who Can Start a Paternity Case in California?

Either parent can petition the courts to establish paternity in California when there is a question about the identity of the biological father. If the courts grant the petition, genetic samples will be gathered from both parties, as well as the child. Once the results are in, either parent can use them to move forward with further legal action, such as requesting custody or child support from the other parent.

Do I Need a Lawyer for Paternity Court?

Because paternity law in California can be complex and difficult to navigate on your own, it’s highly recommended that you seek counsel from a skilled paternity lawyer who can protect your rights and guide you through proceedings. It’s especially important to retain a lawyer if your proceedings are contentious, as they can assist in dispute resolution and work to build a case that achieves your long-term goals.

Can Fathers Get Full Custody in California?

It is a common misconception that only mothers can receive full custody. Because California family courts aim to protect the best interests of children involved in proceedings, joint custody arrangements are common. This is because joint custody helps a child sustain a relationship with both parents. Around 40% of all custodial fathers have joint custody, but it is possible for fathers to be granted full custody as well, depending on the circumstances of their case.

What Is the 3-Parent Law in California?

The tri-parenting law established in California Family Code Section 7612 allows non-traditional family units with more than two parents to establish paternity and custody rights for their children. This rule was initiated due to changing family norms and to address the prevalence of same sex marriages.

Hire a Paternity Lawyer in Eastvale, CA Today

At the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, we provide comprehensive family law services that address all of our clients’ custody, visitation, and paternity case concerns. Our knowledgeable team can help you learn your rights when establishing paternity and advocate for you in the Riverside courts.

If you or someone you love in Eastvale is ready to take the steps to begin a paternity case, contact us for a consultation. We provide services to residents of the greater Riverside area and throughout Southern California.

Eastvale, CA Paternity Resources

• Learn what factors make a parent unfit in California

• Understand what your rights are as a parent in California