Paternity Rights In Texas: Comprehensive Guidance From Austin Lawyers
Paternity And Parentage Attorneys Serving Round Rock, Georgetown And Travis County In Texas
Establishing the legal paternity of a child of unmarried parents helps to determine and clarify parental rights and responsibilities. At Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC, we work with parents of all genders who are seeking to prove or disprove the paternity of a child. If paternity is decided, our board-certified family law attorneys can then assist with litigating child support matters and implementing parenting plans that operate in the child’s best interest.
Determining Parentage In Texas: Classifying The Supposed Father
A key component of navigating Texas paternity laws is resolving how to classify the supposed father. In Texas, a person believed to be a child’s father can be classified as:
- Presumed: If a married woman gives birth, then the woman’s husband is presumed to be the father of the child;
- Acknowledged: A man who signs and files a valid acknowledgement of paternity document with the Texas Vital Statistics Unit will be deemed to be an acknowledged father of the child;
- Adjudicated: A man who is determined by a court to be the father of a child will be considered the adjudicated father; or
- Alleged: If a man is suspected of fathering a child, but paternity has yet to be proven and the child was born out of wedlock, then the man is the child’s alleged father.
A father wishing to challenge his paternity of a child will have different deadlines by which he must do so and steps he must take, according to how he is classified. Furthermore, a court may require a father who is contesting paternity to prove certain facts or events depending on whether the father is characterized as presumed, acknowledged or adjudicated.
Establishing Paternity In Texas
The process of establishing paternity in Texas involves several steps, possibly including voluntary DNA testing or even more rigorous court-ordered procedures. Our team at Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC, has experience working with both mothers who wish to compel genetic testing of alleged fathers, and fathers who desire the same for a child. For those fathers whose paternity of the child has been determined, we work to resolve issues relating to child support, custody and visitation.
Take Action Now: Contact Our Texas Paternity Lawyers In Austin
If you are involved in litigating a paternity matter, or expect you might have to, call us at 512-593-7560 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your situation with one of our experienced attorneys. We serve Travis County, Central Texas and beyond, and our Austin office is conveniently located to make it easy to access our services. Get personalized guidance and support – schedule a consultation with our paternity lawyers today.