Marietta Paternity Lawyer

Marietta Paternity Attorney

Georgia law states that a paternity action is a legal action to establish that a man is the child’s biological father. Even if the father is named on the child’s birth certificate, the legitimation process is required by law if the parents are unmarried in order to have the father determined to be the legal father of the child and also to give the father custody or visitation rights. Unfortunately, this process can be complicated without the help of a knowledgeable lawyer. A Marietta paternity lawyer can be a valuable resource if you are facing such a case.

You can learn more about how Young Law Firm, LLC, can help you establish paternity, legitimation and child custody by contacting attorney Diana Whipkey Young. She has more than 40 years of legal experience and a long history of favorable results in parental rights cases. You can call us now at 770-795-9596 to set up your free, 30-minute consultation.

Understanding Parental Rights

Paternity tests are valuable elements of the family court system in Marietta and throughout Georgia. Unfortunately, paternity is often weaponized in various ways for many reasons, and if you believe you have encountered any such situation, it is crucial to speak with a Marietta paternity lawyer at Young Law Firm, LLC, right away.

In most cases, it is undoubtedly in the child’s interests to maintain a healthy and close relationship with both parents. Attorney Diana Whipkey Young helps parents establish a strong custody order so that they can nurture their relationship with their son or daughter. By establishing legitimation, parents may also request all the rights and responsibilities, including:

• Visitation rights and parenting time
• Child support payments
• The ability for a child to get an inheritance, social security benefits and veteran’s benefits

An unmarried father can take advantage of the legitimation process to enjoy the same visitation and custody rights concerning their child as a divorced father would enjoy. The child also has the legal right to enjoy a positive, healthy and legal relationship with their father.

Paternity Tests in Marietta

It is important to understand that when a child is born, the mother’s husband is the presumptive father, and if the mother is unmarried, the presumptive father of the child may be asked to sign the child’s birth certificate. While this may be a contentious subject, any alleged father who is uncertain as to whether they are actually a newborn’s father should consider arranging a paternity test before signing the birth certificate.

It is also possible for questions pertaining to a child’s parentage to arise after a birth certificate has been signed. A child’s mother may knowingly and intentionally engage in paternity fraud for various reasons, such as securing child support from a man who earns more income than their child’s actual biological father, to hide infidelity, or to conceal the biological father’s identity. It is also possible for this to occur unintentionally, but this can still lead to legal disputes.

A court-ordered paternity test is the most effective way to ensure an accurate determination of a child’s parentage. Once the test is complete, there can be little to no doubt as to whether an alleged father is the actual biological father of the child. At this point, it will be much easier to resolve any related disputes regarding child custody and child support.

Paternity tests are incredibly valuable on both sides of a paternity dispute. If you believe you are being denied your rights as a father in Marietta, a court-ordered paternity test can support you in your efforts to gain custody or visitation rights. If you believe you have been falsely identified as a child’s father, a paternity test can put such allegations to rest and prevent you from facing financial responsibility for someone else’s child.

Preparing for a Custody Case in Marietta

Fathers in Marietta and throughout Georgia often feel disenfranchised and disadvantaged in the family court system. There is a pervasive belief that the family court will always award greater custody rights to a child’s mother no matter how fit a parent the father is. There is also a belief that the family court will be more likely to believe a mother’s testimony over an alleged father’s when it comes to paternity and custody disputes.

While it is unfortunately true that some judges reinforce outdated trends and beliefs when it comes to parental responsibilities, the family court of Marietta has a legal duty to ensure fairness in these determinations. If you plan to assert your rights as a father and seek custody, a paternity test could be an invaluable piece of evidence to support your side of the case.

In most custody disputes, judges will attempt to provide a child with significant time with both parents. Custody cases will determine legal custody, or the ability to make decisions for a child, and physical custody, which determines a child’s residence and how much time they spend with each parent.

Young Law Firm, LLC, can help you prepare for a custody dispute in Marietta, and we have proven experience handling cases involving disputed paternity. No matter what your goals may be for a paternity and/or custody dispute in Marietta, we can provide focused and compassionate legal counsel through all stages of your proceedings. You need to reach out to an attorney you trust as quickly as possible to start preparing for your case.

Contact A Caring Georgia Legitimation Attorney

If you need advice on legitimation in Marietta, our experienced family law attorney, Diana Whipkey Young, will be happy to answer your questions and set up an appointment. You can reach us with the contact form or at 770-795-9596. We accept credit cards and offer evening appointments outside our regular hours. We serve clients in Cobb County, Paulding County, Bartow County and Cherokee County.