Why and How to Establish Paternity in A Divorce or Child Support Case

Serving Clients Throughout the North Shore & Greater Boston Area

In family law, establishing paternity is defining the legal relationship between a father and child and the associated rights and obligations of the father and child to each other and to others.

Parents have certain rights and responsibilities for their children, and courts recognize this by awarding visitation rights and child support after a divorce. However, if a child is born out of wedlock, establishing paternity, and therefore parental rights of the father, can be more challenging.

Once a child has left the hospital after birth, the question of paternity can still linger. And when that becomes a problem, you deserve help from a firm with the experience you need. At Koiles Pratt Family Law Group, we have assisted clients throughout the Greater Boston Area with paternity issues.

Establishing Paternity in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, a parent is designated to receive child support and other financial support until the age of emancipation. The age of emancipation could be at the age of 18, 21 or 23, depending on the child’s specific circumstances, including:

• Whether the child is enrolled in school
• Whether the child still lives with and is dependent on a parent
• Whether the child is mentally or physically disabled

When a child’s father is not known at birth, paternity can be established through DNA testing. Once paternity has been established, a father has certain legal rights. He can seek child custody, visitation and other rights through a court order. Fathers are often also granted the right to make decisions about the upbringing of their children, including decisions concerning education, finances, and where they live.

Read posts and related family law situations involving various aspects of paternity

How To Establish Paternity And Why It’s Important

Massachusetts law provides for different ways to establish paternity, some of which may be accomplished easily out of court while others require court involvement.

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Child Relocation & Removal

Your custody or visitation rights may be affected if the other parent relocates and takes your child without your permission. If you have advance warning, we are prepared to represent you in court to prevent your child’s relocation.

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Parenting Plans

A mediated parenting plan can cover all aspects of child custody, including where children will go on holidays, how parents will contribute to their education, and what happens when one parent wants to relocate.

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Child Custody

We are committed to protecting your interests, assets and relationships and understand that your relationship with your child or children is usually of highest concern.

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We assist clients in establishing paternity, and we help parents make plans concerning child custody and visitation. Contact us today.