Paternity Attorneys in Roseville
What is California’s Uniform Parentage Act?
Paternity is a general name for the procedure which establishes the rights
and responsibilities of a father who is not married to his child's mother.
California adopted the Uniform Parentage Act to govern paternity cases.
Note that the laws in California allow either parent the right to petition
for custody and visitation of their children, regardless of the parents'
marital status at the time of the child's birth.
If the child's paternity is not already established on the birth certificate, a paternity action in court may be required in order for the father to be treated as a legal parent. A DNA test may or may not be needed. Once the father's parental rights are established, a parenting plan for child custody can be established under the same laws that apply in divorce cases. The custodial parent can also seek child support from the non-custodial parent.
Parents who have never been married have a right to establish a legal relationship with their child, and they must financially support their child. If you are concerned about establishing custody of your child, or if you are seeking child support, an experienced family law attorney can help.
At Cecil Cianci Law, PC, we represent fathers and mothers in paternity and paternity-related family law cases. Contact our law firm at (916) 675-3866 to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable paternity lawyer in Roseville.
What Does It Mean to Establish Parentage?
Increasingly, many couples have children without getting married, typically planning to live together or otherwise divide parenting responsibilities amicably. However, just because you and your significant other are getting along now does not mean you will get along forever. There are steps you can take now to protect your rights as a parent and your child's rights in case of future conflict.
Cecil Cianci Law, PC can assist you by:
- Arranging for DNA testing, and in some cases, the county will pay for the costs of the testing.
- Clearly defining and pursuing each parent's rights (like visitation or custody) and responsibilities (like paying child support) as defined by law.
- Helping you understand the limited timeframes involved in paternity cases—particularly if you are a male and you believe you are not a child's father.
- Pursuing appropriate child support, custody, and visitation arrangements when paternity has been established.
Whether you are looking to legally identify your child's father, prove that you are or are not a dad, or seek fair custody or financial arrangements, we can advise you.
Contact us online or call (916) 675-3866 today to speak to an attorney about your situation.
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