Protect Your Interests With A Skilled Paternity Lawyer
Establishing paternity is a crucial step for unmarried New Jersey fathers. It helps define parental rights, especially for physical and legal custody matters. It can also be important when discussing certain responsibilities such as the obligation for a biological parent to pay child support.
When there are serious legal questions about paternity, I can help at The Law Office of Gary J. Natale P.C. I am Gary Natale, a skilled paternity lawyer with over 30 years of experience serving the Essex County community. I have provided reliable legal guidance for decades to those who have significant family law questions, addressing paternity, alimony, property division, child custody and much more. If you would like to meet with a paternity attorney in New Jersey, call my West Orange office for a free initial consultation.
Who May Be Interested In Establishing Paternity?
Officially establishing paternity is important for mothers who are seeking child support payments from the other parent. It is also a critical step for fathers who want to have custody of their children or at least access through visitation rights. Finally, it can be helpful for children, as it may make it possible for them to maintain a relationship with both biological parents.
Contesting Or Establishing Paternity
Paternity is usually established when the child is born, as the parents will sign a Certificate of Parentage while they are still at the hospital. If this is not done, however, then the New Jersey Parentage Act can set up a court process to make this determination. The most common tactic used is conducting a DNA test, which is over 99% reliable.
There are cases where there may be conflicts or where a person may contest paternity. For example, a man may claim that he is not the parent because he does not want to pay child support, particularly if the couple was never married. In that case, a DNA test may be necessary to settle the dispute. Modern genetic testing is extremely accurate, often yielding definitive results that surpass anecdotal claims or personal assumptions.
Call Today For A Consultation
If you are looking for a paternity lawyer in West Orange, New Jersey, call me to set up a free initial consultation. I can help with paternity affidavits, DNA testing or asking the court to order a paternity test. You can contact me by calling 973-821-4199 or using the online contact form to connect with my office.