As a man who may be the father of a child, it’s very important for you to establish paternity. While it’s assumed that a man is the father of a child born during his marriage, the same is not true in other cases.
Since you have to establish your rights if you are unmarried, it’s essential that you take steps to do so as soon as possible. If you are uncertain if the child is yours, then you have every right to request a DNA test.
A paternity test establishes your legal rights
While you may have the option of acknowledging paternity without a test, you can use a paternity test to establish your legal rights as a father of your child. You need to have legal documentation of your legal responsibility to your child, which may come in the form of a signed birth certificate or your paternity test.
Both married and unmarried fathers have a right to bring up their children and to be able to see them. If they are unmarried, they can still seek to have a DNA test to establish paternity and their parenting rights.
What rights do fathers have after establishing paternity?
After establishing paternity, you obtain the rights of any biological parent. You have the right to see your child and the responsibility of raising them. This may also mean that you have a financial obligation to pay support, depending in the situation you’re in.
Establishing paternity isn’t just about you
Establishing yourself as your child’s father isn’t just about you. It’s also about them and being able to let them know you and your side of the family. Your child deserves to have both parents in their life, and you have the right to seek time with your child.
Every child has a right to know or be known by their father, and they also have the right to financially benefit from their father. They should have access to their father’s medical history and family history as well.
If you need help establishing paternity, there is support available. Doing so as soon as possible will help make sure you get the right to be present in your child’s life.
