Chicago Fathers' Rights Lawyer
If you have fathered a child out of wedlock, know that simply putting your name on the birth certificate is not sufficient to create the rights and responsibilities of a father. At The Law Offices of Lynn A. Cohen, we understand the need for the legal status of a family to truly reflect how it is composed.
You and the child's other parent may have married. You may have continued as a couple. While the importance of having the court legally recognize who is the father of a child or children may not be readily apparent when the parents are married or otherwise romantically linked, it becomes very apparent when the parents separate.
The establishment of custody rights and child support obligations requires the acknowledgement of paternity by the father. This may be done by signing a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity either at the hospital when the child is born or later at certain government offices. It can also be pursued by either natural parent who is seeking a legal parent/child relationship.
Petition the Court to Establish Paternity
When paternity has not been acknowledged previously, a father or mother can petition the court to acknowledge the father as the biological parent. In this same court proceeding the court can set child custody, visitation, and child support. A Skokie, Illinois, paternity test attorney can lead you through this process and secure the rights and financial participation you are seeking.
When a father or mother disagrees with the assertion of parenthood, a DNA test will be used to determine conclusively whether or not the father actually is the child's parent. Even if you feel confident that you are the father of the child, we recommend that a DNA test is performed to verify your relation as the court is likely to enforce financial responsibility for the child even if it is later discovered that the child is not yours biologically.
Contact Us
The Law Offices of Lynn A. Cohen serve clients throughout Chicago, the North Shore and the northwestern suburbs. Call us at 847-674-3000 for a free telephone consultation with a Skokie, Illinois, paternity test attorney or contact us online. We also offer a discounted initial office consultation.
