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Don’t wait to protect your rights—every day counts in a paternity lawsuit.
Embracing parenthood is a remarkable journey, even without the traditional ties of marriage. Your child is your world, and protecting their well-being is your top priority.
Perhaps things were smooth between you and your child's other parent, but now you're facing challenges that seem overwhelming. Maybe you've parted ways after living together, and you're unsure about your rights and how to stay connected with your child.
You're not alone in this. We understand the fears and uncertainties that come with co-parenting outside of marriage. Worries about visitation, custody, and ensuring your child's happiness can be daunting.
Our experienced team is here to help you navigate these complex emotions and legalities. We'll work with you to protect your relationship with your child and ensure their safety and well-being.
Raising a child is a shared responsibility, and it’s no secret that providing for their needs can be financially demanding. Questions like, “How will we both afford to support our child?” and “Who covers daycare costs?” are common. You may also wonder about decisions like choosing the right babysitter or daycare provider—what happens if you disagree with the other parent?
These concerns are valid, and navigating them can feel overwhelming. But even if you and your child’s other parent are no longer together, it’s important to remember that you’re both crucial to your child’s well-being. Cooperation is key to ensuring your child has the support and care they need.
Our goal is to help parents work together for the benefit of their child, with solutions that focus on mutual respect and fairness. Through clear communication and legal guidance, you can overcome challenges related to financial support, childcare, and parental rights.
A paternity suit is a lawsuit filed by parents who have children together but have never married.
A paternity case is used to determine the child's natural father, establish legal rights and duties, issue child custody and visitation orders, and award child support.
To initiate a paternity lawsuit, one of the parents must file a paternity case in court. This action commences the legal process, which will culminate in a court hearing where decisions about the kid are decided.
In a paternity case, delays can be costly—both emotionally and legally. Having one of the best paternity lawyers on your side from the start ensures your rights are protected at every step, preventing potentially irreversible decisions that could affect your child’s future.
A paternity action is typically filed as a civil lawsuit and is not a criminal matter. In most states, including California, paternity actions must be filed before the alleged father’s death.
In posthumous cases, the alleged father must have done something affirmative to acknowledge the child before death. This could include putting his name on the child's birth certificate or identifying himself as the father in other legal actions.
Only specific individuals or parties have the legal standing to bring a paternity action. These include:
The party filing the action will be responsible for submitting supporting documents, paying the filing fee, and serving the responding party with a summons and a copy of the complaint.
When a paternity action is filed, the court will review the petition to determine if there is enough information to justify ordering a paternity test. If a court-ordered paternity test is required, the mother, child, and alleged father will be tested at a court-designated facility.
If the alleged father is proven not to be the biological father, the cost of the test will usually be charged to the party who filed the paternity action.
Once the court determines paternity, that determination is final. A court order will be issued to establish the child’s present and future rights, ensuring legal clarity for all parties involved.
California’s strict deadlines under the Uniform Parentage Act mean that time is not on your side. The faster you initiate a paternity case, the sooner you can establish your rights to child custody, visitation, and support. Don’t let missed deadlines jeopardize your parental rights.
A paternity lawyer can guide you through this process, ensuring that your rights are protected and that your child's needs are met.
Whether you are seeking to establish paternity or challenge it, legal representation is critical to navigating this complex legal terrain.
When paternity is established, both parents assume the rights and responsibilities of parenthood. This includes the right to seek custody and visitation, as well as the obligation to provide financial support for the child.
Establishing paternity is not just about legal rights—it also plays a crucial role in the child's well-being.
Knowing their full family identity helps children develop a sense of security and self-esteem, as well as access to important family relationships and medical history.
Moreover, once paternity is established, the child may also gain access to benefits such as health insurance, Social Security, inheritance rights, and more.
If you’re facing a paternity-related issue, whether you’re seeking to establish parentage, petition for custody, or challenge a paternity claim, our experienced paternity lawyers in Temecula are here to help you navigate this complex process.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your parental rights are protected.
When you choose us, you can expect:
We know how personal and impactful family law issues can be. That’s why we’re committed to:
If you’re in need of caring, compassionate help with your divorce or family law case in Temecula, CA, we’re here for you. Contact us to start the conversation.
There is no statute of limitations for establishing paternity in California, but the court can order a paternity test up to two years after the child's birth. Fathers can also petition for paternity up to three years after the child turns 18.
Yes, signing a birth certificate can establish paternity, but it is important to follow up with legal adjudication to secure your parental rights fully.
In certain cases, a mother may refuse a paternity test, but the court can order one to be conducted if the father petitions for it.
Yes, unmarried fathers have parental rights in California, but they must legally establish paternity to enforce those rights.
The timeline for establishing paternity in California can vary depending on the complexity of the case. If both parents voluntarily agree and sign a declaration of parentage, the process can be completed relatively quickly.
However, if the case involves a paternity dispute and requires court involvement, it can take several months, especially if a DNA test is needed.
In most cases, if the court orders a DNA test, the cost may be assigned to the party who requested the test. If the alleged father is proven to be the biological father, he may be required to pay for the test.
If he is not the biological father, the party who filed the paternity action may be responsible for the cost.
In California, once paternity has been legally established, it can be very difficult to challenge. However, in certain situations, such as new evidence from DNA testing, the court may allow a challenge to the paternity ruling.
It’s essential to consult with a family law attorney to explore your options if you believe the paternity determination is incorrect.
f the father refuses to take a court-ordered paternity test, the court may rule in favor of the mother by default. This means the court could declare the man the legal father without further evidence, which would result in obligations for child support and other parental responsibilities.
Yes, establishing paternity is the first step in securing legal rights to child custody and visitation. Once paternity is established, the father can petition the court for custody or visitation, allowing him to be involved in his child’s life.
We provide essential support in paternity matters by navigating California's complex family law system.
Whether it's establishing parentage, securing custody and visitation rights, or advocating for child support, we protect your rights and ensure that your relationship with your child is legally recognized and upheld.
From the initial filing of a paternity action to court hearings, our experienced paternity lawyers guide you through every step of the process, always prioritizing your child's best interests.
Our goal is to safeguard your parental rights, strengthen your bond with your child, and achieve a fair outcome for your family.
27307 Via Industria
Temecula, CA 92590