Whether you adopt, become a stepparent or you are the biological parent, fatherhood is a monumental experience in one’s life. If you are established as the father of a child, in the State of Texas, you are bestowed with all the rights and duties of a parent for that child. Typically, establishing paternity entails not only financial support of your child but decision-making authority in regards to your child’s upbringing, education, medical history, etc. If you or someone you know is dealing with issues surrounding establishing paternity, contact the family lawyers at the Law Office of Lauren Cain to assist you in this legal process.
Establishing Paternity In Texas: Presumed Father
Clearly, it is easier to identify the mother of a child; if she gave birth or adopted the child, she is the legal mother. However, establishing the the identity of the father may be a bit trickier. In the State of Texas, there are a variety of ways to establish the father-child relationship. Typically, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he is married to the mother at the time of birth. A man is also presumed to be the father of a child born 300 days after a marriage was ended by annulment, divorce, invalidity or death.
Establishing Paternity In Texas: Voluntarily Asserting You Are The Father
In addition to establishing paternity through the presumed father method, a man may also voluntarily establish paternity of a child in a variety of ways. A man may assert on record with the vital statistics unit that he is the father of the child. A man may also voluntarily sign a child’s birth certificate or promise on record to support the child and therefore establish paternity. Additionally, if a man lived with a child continuously during the first two years of a child’s life and represented that the child is his, paternity will be established. Lastly, a man may be involuntarily established as the father when paternity is in dispute, through a court order.
Contact A Family Lawyer
Under ideal circumstances, the rights and responsibilities of fathers are equal to mothers. Establishing or denying paternity is a detailed legal process under Texas State Law. Whether you are attempting to establish paternity or deny the paternity of a child, contact the Law Office of Lauren Cain at (214) 234-2622 to efficiently guide you through this legal process.