Paternity Investigations for Men in Okemos, Lansing, and Mid-Michigan
Paternity Investigations
In a marriage, a determination of paternity is unnecessary. A husband is presumed to be the father of any child born of the marriage. However, if there is a divorce filing and the issue of paternity comes into question, it is important that a DNA test be performed in order for the husband to conclusively establish and retain his parental rights. At the law office of Bailey & Terranova, we confidently handle paternity cases for men and women across the Lansing area. Our lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience handling a range of family law matters, including paternity issues. Though we handle a great deal of cases involving unwed fathers' rights, our lawyers represent both men and women in a range of paternity situations.
Understanding How Paternity Works
Often an emotionally charged matter, paternity actions are the key to ensuring that proper custody, visitation and support orders are created. It is essential that paternity be determined in order to preserve your right to see your child, or secure proper child support to provide for your child's needs. It is also essential to ensure that any questions regarding parentage are resolved prior to the entry of any orders regarding:
- Child support
- Domicile/residency changes
Once the child's parentage has been established, the related custody and child support matters can be addressed. Please note, if paternity is not determined, any custody and/or child support arrangements that were made outside of the court are not legally enforceable. By establishing paternity, we can further protect the rights of the father and avoid unwanted custody battles with grandparents over a child, should the mother with primary custody die.
With the emergence of new technology, it is easier than ever to establish paternity. A simple swab from the inside of your cheek can be the key to gaining access to your child and protecting your rights. A member of our firm can explain the DNA paternity testing process and help you request that a test be performed.