Why Establish Paternity of a Child?
If you haven’t yet established paternity of your child, or if you are considering a paternity test, you more than likely have many questions about how to go about getting a paternity test and whether it’s really important to do so.
Officially establishing the paternity of your child is especially important if you aren’t married or if there are concerns regarding the paternity of your child. Continue reading to learn more about why it is important to determine the child’s father and the ways you can go about getting a paternity test.
A Parent’s Right to a Relationship With Their Child
For married couples, the husband is automatically assumed to be the father of the child in Indiana, but for unmarried couples, this is not the case. Fathers who sign the birth certificate have assumed financial and emotional responsibility for the baby.
One of the most important reasons to establish paternity is to allow the father of the child to build a relationship with their child. There are so many different types of families and family plans you can work out, but none of that will be possible if there is a doubt regarding paternity.
Child Support and Other Financial Responsibilities
It is also important to establish paternity so the father of the child is held financially responsible for their children. Even if the father has no desire to have a relationship with their child, they are still financially obligated to support them unless they terminate their parental rights.
Financial responsibilities might include child support, health insurance, school tuition, extracurricular activities, back-to-school clothes, field trips, and other costs.
Contact an Experienced Indiana Paternity Lawyer
If you are interested in securing a paternity test, reach out to a qualified Indiana paternity lawyer at Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm for assistance.
We can help you get your child’s paternity established so you can exercise your rights, whether that be to have a relationship with your child or to ensure that your child’s father is financially accountable for their child. You can schedule your free case assessment by giving our office a call at 1-812-232-7400 or by filling out the online contact form provided at the bottom of this page.
