The Woodlands Paternity Lawyer

Paternity Lawyer In The Woodlands, TX

Establishing paternity can be a complicated legal procedure that is quickly becoming crucial for families across Texas these days. When parents who are not legally wed have a child, there may be certain steps that will need to be taken in order to ascertain parental rights. It is important to establish paternity for a wide range of reasons, including in cases of child support, child custody, or family medical history, and our The Woodlands paternity lawyer team can offer assistance.

At the Walke-Wilson Firm, our team of dedicated family law attorneys has had over three decades of helping clients through their paternity issues in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas. We understand that being a parent is a beautiful and joyful thing, but it can also come with certain duties and financial obligations, and these cases can quickly become messy. At the Walke-Wilson Firm we are here to help you legally establish paternity or contest the paternity of a child.

We can also help clients file paternity actions, uphold parental rights during a divorce case or event of legal separation, help with any modifications to a paternity order, ensure there is fairness in the possession and access to a child and parental duties, and ensure there is a degree of fairness in determining child support amounts. Whatever your paternity case entails, and no matter which party you are, the team at the Walke-Wilson Firm is here to help you in every step.

Establishing Paternity in The Woodlands and the Surrounding Areas

In Texas, paternity is a legal term to describe fatherhood. It can be viewed as a label for dads, and it is integral to establish paternity so that a child can know their father or at least know who he is. Parents who are married typically do not need to worry about confirming paternity, as the husband is typically assumed to be the biological father. However, if parents are not married at the time of conception, establishing paternity can help the mother and child seek certain rights.

Establishing paternity can also help a father achieve his paternal rights, such as seeking custody of his child.

In Texas, when a child is born to unwed parents, the biological father is not recognized as the legal parent. The mother, rather, assumes all legal responsibility. The birth father will not have any legal parental rights, and paternity needs to be established. There are three main ways a father can go about establishing paternity, including:

• Marriage. When parents are legally married, the husband is likely to be acknowledged as the legal father of any child born to that couple.
• Court order. If the parents of a child are not married at the time of their child’s birth, either parent can file a court order in order to name the legal father of the child.
• Acknowledgment of paternity. Also known as an AOP, an unmarried couple can sign an acknowledgment of paternity if they both agree that the biological father of the child is also the legal father.

For fathers, establishing paternity can give you the right to change the last name of the child, allow you the legal right to have a relationship with your child, allow the creation of any future parenting plans involving custody and support to be less complicated, can offer you the right to travel with your child, and can allow you the legal right to voice concern should your co-parent take the child without your consent.

For mothers, establishing paternity can allow you to file and enforce a child support order against the legal father, to share the duties of being the parent of your child, and to claim important benefits for the child, such as life insurance, Social Security, or medical insurance coverage.

In most cases, paternity is established in a voluntary manner, either at the birth of the child or shortly after the birth. In Texas, legal fatherhood is assigned right away to a father who is legally wed to the mother of the child, whether he is the biological father or not. If the parents are not married, the father and mother can sign an AOP at the hospital where the child is born.

In more complicated cases, paternity cannot be established through voluntary means. Instead, there may be reasons involved in the case that make this not possible. These reasons can include questions regarding the identity of the father or competing claims of paternity from multiple sources. In these cases, a court order will need to be created in order to receive genetic testing.

Benefits of Establishing Texas Paternity

There can be several benefits to establishing paternity in Texas, both for the parents and the child. Establishing paternity can be required before a court can order child custody, possession and access to a child, and child support. The most common benefits of establishing paternity include the following:

• Relationship between father and child. One of the most important aspects regarding the well-being and safety of a child is for them to have a healthy relationship with their father. The first step to creating this bond is to establish paternity beyond a doubt. When fathers are active in the lives of their children, this can increase the health and emotional stability of that child.
• Identity of the child. It can be vital to a child’s emotional health and stability to know they are part of a family. It can be likewise vital to a father’s mental health to know he is the legal dad. Paternity can help create stability in both the life of the child and the father.
• Financial support. In Texas, both legal parents are responsible for the financial needs of their child. In order for a court to order child support from a father, paternity must first be established. This can also help with other forms of financial support, such as pensions, inheritance rights, life insurance, and Social Security.
• Custody. When parents do not live together or are vying for custody rights, establishing custody can be required in order for the judge to approve any custody for the father.
• Medical history. It can also be important to establish paternity for the child’s medical history and the genetic conditions that may affect them in the future.

Speak With a Fierce Family Law Advocate Today

When dealing with a paternity case, do not face these legal proceedings on your own. There is a lot at stake in these cases, and having the assistance of an attorney is essential. Contact the offices of the Walke-Wilson Firm today to learn more information regarding our services and schedule a consultation with our team.