San Bernardino Paternity Lawyer

San Bernardino Paternity Attorney

When the father of a child is not married to the mother, there can be additional barriers for dads seeking visitation rights or custody of their children. In other paternity-related cases, the mother may seek the court’s assistance in establishing paternity to set child support. In both scenarios, having an experienced attorney is essential. A skilled San Bernardino paternity lawyer, like those at the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic, can provide invaluable assistance in establishing paternity and navigating the legal complexities involved in these cases. Whether you are a father seeking visitation or a mother needing to establish paternity for child support, the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic can help ensure that your rights are protected and that the best interests of the child are served.

The Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic understands how important it can be to establish paternity. Biological fathers have important rights and responsibilities when it comes to their children. Our law firm can help you navigate your paternity-related legal matters so your child has meaningful access and support from their father.

Why Trust the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic for your Paternity Case

When it comes to matters as important as paternity, there’s no room for errors or misunderstandings. Fathers have rights and obligations, and the courts have a vested interest in seeing that the right person is designated as the lawful father. Whether you are seeking visitation rights to your child or child support, you can trust the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic to handle your case with compassion and care.

Our attorneys always pay close attention to important details, and our client-focused approach has made our law firm synonymous with exceptional legal services. Navigating the family court system can be daunting without professional help. No matter your personal and legal goals, we’re here to help you achieve those aims.

Reasons You May Need to Establish Paternity in a Family Law Case

There are reasons that either parent may seek to establish paternity through the courts formally. The process is known as establishing legal parentage, and it can be complicated, especially if you are unfamiliar with the process of determining paternity.

In order for a father to have enforceable visitation rights, they have to establish paternity before a court will grant child custody rights. Once a father can prove paternity, they can work with a family law attorney to help them navigate the legal process of securing visitation and custody rights. A family law attorney can assist the father in filing the necessary paperwork, representing him in court, and negotiating a parenting plan that ensures consistent access to his child.

Mothers may also seek to formally establish paternity so the biological father can exercise his legal rights and responsibilities. Fathers have a duty to provide financial support for their children. This often comes in the form of child support.

Receiving court-ordered monthly payments from the father can relieve the financial burden of child-rearing while ensuring that children have the resources they need. In cases where a mother establishes child support orders against a man who disputes being the biological father, he can request a paternity test to avoid financial responsibility.

How the Paternity Process Works

In California, paternity can be established either voluntarily or through the courts, often with the assistance of an attorney. Eligible parents can use the Parentage Opportunity Program (POP) to voluntarily establish legal parentage by signing a Voluntary Declaration of Parentage (VDOP).

Often, court proceedings offer the most straightforward means for establishing paternity. However, if there is uncertainty or disagreement about paternity, an attorney can help guide you through the legal process, including arranging genetic testing and representing you in court. In San Bernardino, the court can also establish paternity if needed, issuing a formal judgment when voluntary methods aren’t sufficient or applicable. Having a knowledgeable attorney by your side ensures that the process goes smoothly and your rights are protected throughout the legal proceedings.

FAQs

How Long Does a Father Have to Establish Paternity in California?

There is no deadline to establish paternity, but fathers could have their parental rights significantly restricted if they do not seek to establish paternity after their child is born. In some cases, the father may not be aware of the pregnancy. If the father seeks to establish paternity and parental rights after knowingly avoiding doing so for a significant period of time, that could be viewed by the courts as one form of abandonment.

How Do You Get a Court-Ordered Paternity Test in California?

To get a court-ordered paternity test in California, you can file a petition with the court, often with the help of a family law attorney, to formally establish the paternity of a child. Once the judge issues the order, the alleged father will be notified and provided with a time frame for completing the test.

If the alleged father fails to comply with the court order, the court may issue a default judgment, legally establishing him as the father. After paternity is established, the court can issue enforceable child support orders against the father.

Can a Mother Fight Establishing Paternity in California?

Fathers have rights and responsibilities to their biological children, and the courts have an important role to play in enforcing those rights. There may be cases where a mother does not want a former romantic partner to play a role in his child’s life.

While the mother can delay the unification process, the mother cannot obstruct the process indefinitely. When establishing parental rights, it can be beneficial for fathers to hire experienced legal counsel to facilitate the process.

Can a Non-Biological Father Be Forced to Pay Child Support in California?

It is possible for a non-biological father to pay child support, either because the male falsely assumes he is the father or because the mother initiated the process of establishing child support and falsely listed the wrong male as the biological father. This can be rectified by establishing paternity through the courts.

What Rights Does a Father Have After Establishing Paternity in California?

Fathers have a wide range of rights and responsibilities to their biological children. These include legal rights and visitation rights. Legal rights allow fathers to make important decisions on behalf of their children. Visitation rights determine when the father has parenting time with his child. Until these rights are established through court, they are not enforceable.

Schedule Your Paternity Consultation Today

Whether you are a mother or father seeking to establish formally who the legal father of a child is, the Law Offices of Michelanne Hrubic can help. Our founding attorney has a strong reputation for providing one-on-one service to her clients.

We can handle the process of establishing paternity. Once the biological father is established as the parent, we can help you with the next step, whether that be establishing parental rights or child custody orders. To schedule your consultation, contact our office today.