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- Establishing Paternity
Establishing Paternity
Denial of Paternity
If an alleged father (the man who was named as father) appears at a support conference and denies that he is the father of the child, the conference can go no further until paternity is established. (Paternity tests generally are not allowed for a child born while the parties are married to each other.)
If appropriate, the Domestic Relations Section will arrange for the parties and the child to have paternity testing by a medical technician at Domestic Relations to test whether or not the man is the father of the child.
Paternity Testing
The laboratory will test the genetic samples to determine how likely it is that the man is the father. After the testing is completed, the results of the tests are sent to both parties and are reviewed with the alleged father.
If the alleged father agrees that he is the father of the child, he will sign a document that he is the father, then a conference will be scheduled to determine the amount of support.
If the alleged father continues to deny paternity after receiving the genetic test results, the case will be scheduled for further proceedings by the court.
Possible Assignment of Attorney Free of Charge
An alleged father may receive a free attorney following the paternity test review by requesting one, if the court decides that he cannot afford an attorney. Counsel (an attorney) for Domestic Relations represents mothers in paternity cases.
If the man is found to be the father by the court, the court will usually order that he pay for the genetic test costs and the court costs.
If an alleged father (the man who was named as father) appears at a support conference and denies that he is the father of the child, the conference can go no further until paternity is established. (Paternity tests generally are not allowed for a child born while the parties are married to each other.)
If appropriate, the Domestic Relations Section will arrange for the parties and the child to have paternity testing by a medical technician at Domestic Relations to test whether or not the man is the father of the child.
Paternity Testing
The laboratory will test the genetic samples to determine how likely it is that the man is the father. After the testing is completed, the results of the tests are sent to both parties and are reviewed with the alleged father.
If the alleged father agrees that he is the father of the child, he will sign a document that he is the father, then a conference will be scheduled to determine the amount of support.
If the alleged father continues to deny paternity after receiving the genetic test results, the case will be scheduled for further proceedings by the court.
Possible Assignment of Attorney Free of Charge
An alleged father may receive a free attorney following the paternity test review by requesting one, if the court decides that he cannot afford an attorney. Counsel (an attorney) for Domestic Relations represents mothers in paternity cases.
If the man is found to be the father by the court, the court will usually order that he pay for the genetic test costs and the court costs.