Why Establishing Paternity is Important in New Jersey

 

From a moral perspective, determining who has fathered certain children is important for society. But it is also important from a legal perspective. For parents in the Garden State, establishing paternity may be a priority for a number of reasons. Whether you are the father or the mother in this situation, you may feel like this is a daunting, complex legal process.

Thankfully, there is always help available for those who need it. A qualified, experienced family law attorney in New Jersey can assist you as you approach the paternity process. Our legal professionals understand the various challenges and hurdles associated with this situation, and they can answer all of your questions. Ideally, you should team up with an attorney who specializes in paternity cases.

Why Might You Want to Establish Paternity?

There are a number of reasons you might want to establish paternity:

• Child Support: In order to collect child support from a father, you must first establish that this individual is in fact the father of the child in question. If a father denies paternity, legal action may be required before you can collect child support.
• Health Insurance: If you want your child to be covered by your health insurance policy through your employer, you must first establish paternity. This could be an important step in protecting your child’s future.
• Other Benefits: You may also need to establish paternity in order to make your child eligible for a number of other benefits. These include social security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and so on.
• Inheritance: In some cases, your child may not be able to inherit your fortune if paternity was never established. You may need to establish paternity in order to ensure your child can have access to your wealth after you pass.

How is Paternity Established?

Sometimes, establishing paternity is as easy as signing a Certificate of Parentage, otherwise known as a COP. This legal document can be signed at the hospital immediately after the child is born, or it can be signed at a registrar’s office or welfare office.

Alternatively, you can establish paternity with genetic testing. Both mothers and fathers can seek genetic testing, and the right of both parties to pursue this option is supported by New Jersey law. Fathers may seek genetic testing when they doubt they are the real father of the child, and mothers can seek genetic testing if they believe that the real father is refusing to acknowledge paternity.

Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today

If you have been searching New Jersey for a qualified, experienced attorney who can help you with paternity, look no further than Giro, LLP, Attorneys at Law. We have considerable experience with matters related to family law in the Garden State, and we can help you approach this situation in the most efficient way possible. While we understand that establishing paternity in New Jersey can be an emotional process for many parents, a skilled attorney can make it much less stressful. Book your consultation today.