Yonkers Paternity Lawyers

Helping Parents Establish Paternity in New York

When a child is born to a married couple, the law automatically recognizes the husband as the father. However, when a child is born to an unmarried couple, paternity must be established. This is important for both parents, as it establishes the father's rights and responsibilities and allows the mother to seek child support.

At The Marley Law Group, our Yonkers paternity attorney can help you establish paternity and protect your rights as a parent. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases and are committed to providing compassionate, personalized legal guidance every step of the way.

Call our office today at (914) 312-4131 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our paternity lawyer in Yonkers.

How to Establish Paternity in New York

Establishing paternity is important for both parents. For the mother, it allows her to seek child support from the father. For the father, it allows him to seek custody or visitation rights. It also allows the child to have access to the father's medical history and benefits, such as Social Security and inheritance.

In New York, there are three ways to establish paternity:

• Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity - If both parents agree on the identity of the father, they can sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form. This form can be signed at the hospital when the child is born or at a later date. Once the form is signed, the father's name will be added to the child's birth certificate.
• Administrative Paternity Order - If the mother is receiving public assistance, the Department of Social Services (DSS) can help establish paternity. DSS will ask the mother and the alleged father to sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form. If the alleged father refuses to sign the form, DSS can ask the court to issue an administrative paternity order.
• Judicial Paternity Order - If the mother is not receiving public assistance, she can file a petition with the court to establish paternity. The court will then order genetic testing to determine if the alleged father is the biological father. If the test confirms paternity, the court will issue a judicial paternity order.

What Issues Does the Court Address?

Once paternity is established, the court can address the following issues:

• Child custody
• Visitation
• Child support
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Childcare expenses
• Unreimbursed medical expenses

Contact Us Today

If you need help establishing paternity, our Yonkers paternity lawyer can guide you through the process and help you protect your rights as a parent.

Call our office today at (914) 312-4131 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our paternity lawyer in Yonkers.