Cumming Paternity Lawyer
Not knowing their father’s identity can confuse and upset a child, particularly as they grow older. Additionally, mothers and fathers alike do not gain access to essential custody, visitation, and child support rights unless paternity and legitimation is established.
Whether you are a mom seeking child support, a dad wanting to secure time with your child, or a man falsely identified as a child’s father, a skilled Cumming paternity lawyer can help. Our firm’s seasoned fathers’ rights attorneys frequently represent individuals in paternity actions in Cumming and the surrounding areas.
Why Legitimation is Important for Parents and Children in Cumming
Legitimation refers to the process of formally recognizing a man as a child’s legal father. When a child is legitimized, both the child and the parents benefit in various ways. Some of the advantages of legitimation include:
- The child can inherit from the father’s estate;
- The father is afforded the right to petition for custody or visitation with his child;
- Both parents can jointly decide matters affecting their child;
- The child can receive certain Social Security, disability, and other government benefits associated through the father;
- The father can provide health insurance for the child; and
- The mother gains parenting assistance from the father.
Establishing Paternity in Family Court
If the mother or alleged father objects to paternity, either of them can request a DNA test. Generally, a positive genetic test conclusively establishes a father’s paternity. However, there are some situations where a court may require additional evidence before deciding paternity.
Additionally, a local social services department may also initiate a DNA test if a mother seeks child support through their office. If the testing establishes paternity, the department can act to obtain or enforce a child support order. An experienced lawyer in Cumming would be well-versed in paternity determination and can advise a mother or an alleged father of their legal options.
Georgia’s Putative Father Registry
Official Code of Georgia Annotated §19-11-9 established the Putative Father Registry (PFR), which is a statewide listing containing information about men who may be the biological fathers of children in Georgia. The PFR lists the names, addresses, and Social Security numbers of men who have either executed an Acknowledgment of Paternity or voluntarily signed up on the registry.
A man who believes he is a child’s biological father can enter the registry even if paternity has not been legally established. Once a man registers, he has the right to be notified of any adoption proceedings involving his child. The PFR plays a vital role in ensuring that fathers do not lose important rights to his children, and a knowledgeable paternity attorney in the Cumming area can ensure that a man is registered correctly.
Learn More about Paternity from an Attorney in Cumming
If you are involved in a paternity proceeding, a dedicated attorney can assist you. Our firm’s Cumming paternity lawyers understand that resolving questions of legitimation can be confusing and emotionally draining. When you work with us, you can be assured that you and your child’s needs will always be the first propriety as we help you navigate the legitimation process in Cumming family court.
