Clarksville Paternity Lawyer

Clarksville Paternity Attorney

A new baby can be a joyous and life-changing event. Sometimes, though, circumstances are complicated, and the child’s paternity is not established at the time of birth. If you need help navigating a paternity issue, a knowledgeable Clarksville paternity lawyer can help.

Establishing paternity is important for the health and well-being of children. Every child deserves both a legal mother and a legal father. Having two legal parents gives children a sense of belonging, which is an important developmental factor, but it also gives each child access to financial rights, such as child support and basic healthcare.

Whether you need assistance in establishing the paternity of the child’s father, or you want to establish paternity for yourself, the legal team at Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal) is here to guide you through the legal process.

Our experienced family lawyers have successfully assisted many clients in similar situations Additionally, once paternity is established, we can help you and the other parent set up child support and custody agreements benefitting both you and your child.

Establishing Paternity in Tennessee

In Tennessee, paternity of a child is automatically established if the parents are married at the time of the birth. The husband is considered the legal father, and his name is included on the birth certificate. If the parents are not married at the time of the birth, then paternity is not assumed.

You must establish paternity before a father’s name can be added to the birth certificate, and they can be considered the legal father. The father will not have any rights to the child until this is resolved.

Establishing paternity at the time of birth is often the easiest way to resolve a paternity issue. This provides the child with a legal father at the beginning of their life. The hospital staff can provide you and your partner with a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form. You will need to sign it in full view of a notary public. You must provide your social security number and a valid form of I.D.

If the father does not wish to establish paternity, you may need to pursue a court order to force a DNA test to establish paternity involuntarily. With a paternity lawyer’s help, you can pursue a Petition to Establish Parentage. The court will then issue a parentage order based on the DNA test results.

Why Establish Paternity?

Establishing paternity provides your child with a legal father. A legal father has the legal right to parent their child as they see fit and guide their child through life. Here are some valid, important reasons to acknowledge paternity of your child:

• A Sense of Identity: Every child has the right to know both of their parents. By establishing paternity, a child can more easily develop a sense of identity, belonging, and trust that promotes healthy emotional development.
• Financial Benefits: By establishing paternity legally, it can be considerably easier to provide for your child financially. Your child can better qualify for certain benefits through legal paternity, such as social security, inheritance, life insurance, health insurance, child support, and even veterans’ benefits. Every child has a right to financial support.
• Medical History: By knowing their paternity, your child may have an easier time identifying any inherited conditions or traits they may have inherited from their father’s genes. Establishing paternity can help with future healthcare decisions.

FAQs

Q: How Long Does a Father Have to Establish Paternity in Tennessee?

A: A father has essentially their child’s entire childhood to attempt to establish paternity in Tennessee. A father can seek to establish paternity until the child turns 21. However, you can only pursue paternity through the Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAoP) process until the child turns 19. It is recommended that paternity be established as soon as possible upon birth for the emotional and financial well-being of the child.

Q: Can an Unmarried Father Take a Child from Their Mother in Tennessee?

A: No, an unmarried father cannot legally take their child away from their mother in Tennessee. In Tennessee, a mother has automatic physical and legal custody of her child from birth unless paternity is established.

In order for the father to have any semblance of rights or visitation, they must first establish legal paternity. If paternity was not established at the birth of the child, and the father’s name is not on the birth certificate, you will need to establish paternity through the court system.

Q: How Do I Get a Court-Ordered Paternity Test in Tennessee?

A: In order to get a court-ordered paternity test in Tennessee, you must first file a Petition to Establish Parentage in the county in which you or your child reside. Either parent can initiate this petition to seek paternity.

If paternity is contested, the court will likely order a DNA test to try and establish a biological connection between the alleged father and the child in question. If the DNA test is positive, it can be easier to establish paternity.

Q: Does the Biological Father Have Rights if He Is Not on the Birth Certificate in Tennessee?

A: No, the biological father does not have any rights to the child if he is not on the birth certificate in Tennessee. If the father’s name is not on the birth certificate, he must go through the court system to establish paternity. Once paternity is established, he can assume rights to the child.

Reach Out to a Paternity Lawyer Today

Every child deserves the opportunity to have both parents in their lives. Establishing paternity at the time of birth is the most preferred method. If this didn’t happen for you, please reach out to a Clarksville paternity lawyer at Mathis, Bates & Klinghard PLLC (MBK Legal) today.

We can help you through the process of establishing paternity for your child, one of the most important factors in a child’s welfare. Additionally, we can help you with determining parental responsibilities, child support, and visitation agreements once paternity is established.

Our experienced team can provide you with the help you need to secure your child’s rights. Contact us to schedule a consultation now.