Dedham Paternity Lawyer

Dedham Paternity Attorney

When a child is born to a married couple, paternity is assumed. However, when a child is born to unmarried parents, legal questions about custody, child support, and visitation may arise. Establishing paternity can impact a father’s rights and responsibilities, in addition to impacting the child’s overall emotional and financial well-being. The Dedham paternity lawyers of Farias Family Law, P.C., can help you resolve any paternity-related disputes to move forward with clarity.

What Does Paternity Really Mean?

Around 300,000 paternity tests occur yearly in the United States. The State of Massachusetts saw 67,851 births in 2024. Around 32.7% of mothers were unmarried at the time of these births.

Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a man being the father of a child. Maternity is automatically established at birth, but paternity can be harder to determine. Once paternity is established, however, it creates legal rights and responsibilities for both parents. Some of these include:

• The father’s right to seek custody or visitation
• The mother’s right to request child support
• The child’s right to access financial support, medical history, and rights to inheritance

No matter whether you’re the mother or the alleged father of a child, it helps to understand both your legal rights and the process of establishing paternity. In cases involving high net worth divorce, paternity issues can also impact custody, alimony, and child support arrangements. The team at Farias Family Law, P.C., can guide you through each step of the process and help you better understand your legal options.

The Importance of Establishing Paternity

Establishing paternity provides necessary benefits for all involved in the child’s life.

• For the child: Children can benefit from receiving inheritance, Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits, and insurance coverage. They can also access the father’s medical background for future health needs. In addition to these benefits, knowing both parents can give the child a deeper sense of identity and foster their overall well-being.
• For the father: Legal recognition lets the father pursue custody or visitation. However, it is hard for a father to get shared custody without first establishing legal paternity. Once recognized, they can actively be more involved in decision-making for the child’s best interests. Establishing paternity also helps establish meaningful relationships between father and child.
• For the mother: Legal paternity is necessary to pursue financial support from the father. It also lets a mother share responsibilities and the overall costs of raising a child.

Our Dedham paternity lawyers help you ensure your rights and responsibilities are legally protected.

How Paternity Is Established in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you can establish paternity in a variety of ways. You can complete a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage (VAP) form at the hospital after the child is born. This can also be signed later on.

A VAP form legally establishes a man as the child’s father and grants him parental rights. This document is legally binding but can be challenged in court within 60 days of signing.

A court-ordered genetic test can occur if paternity is disputed by either parent. Dedham residents can file a complaint at the Probate and Family Court at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton. The court can order DNA testing to confirm paternity and then issue an order establishing the legal father.

For married couples, the husband is already presumed to be the father, even if he is not the biological father. Disputing this presumption requires legal action and supporting evidence.

Paternity Laws in Massachusetts can be complex, but Farias Family Law, P.C., can walk you through this process and ensure you explore every legal avenue to establish paternity or question it.

Challenging Paternity Orders

In some cases, paternity may be contested if a man has reason to believe the child is not biologically his. Challenging paternity involves:

• Filing a complaint in the Probate and Family Court
• Presenting evidence, such as DNA testing
• Addressing any legal presumptions of fatherhood

Our experienced legal team can help you better understand the process of disestablishing paternity and create a compelling strategy to defend against a challenge.

FAQs

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

A: In Massachusetts, paternity can be established at any time before the child turns 18. Earlier establishment of paternity is helpful for securing a parent’s rights and responsibilities. This includes custody, visitation, and child support. The sooner paternity is established, the quicker both parental rights and obligations can take effect. There is no set deadline for determining paternity while the child is under 18. Dedham fathers can file paternity with the Norfolk Probate and Family Court at 35 Shawmut Road in Canton.

Q: How Much Does a Paternity Action Cost?

A: The cost of paternity action can vary significantly. It depends on whether the case is contested and if you use legal representation. If the case requires court hearings and mediation, the overall cost of the paternity action can increase. If child support is involved, the Department of Revenue’s Child Support Enforcement Division may step in and help with determining paternity at little or no additional cost.

Q: Can I Sue My Ex for Lying About Paternity?

A: You may be able to pursue legal action against your ex if they knowingly misrepresented paternity, particularly if financial harm occurred. This could include you having to pay child support for a child who was not biologically yours. Legal action could result in reimbursement for paying child support, fraud, or for the emotional distress caused by this lie. Having an attorney experienced in paternity cases can help increase your chances of success.

Q: How Much Does a Family Lawyer Cost in Massachusetts?

A: The cost of hiring a family lawyer in Massachusetts varies based on the attorney’s experience, the complexity of the case, and the location. Some services may be charged a flat fee only, especially for services such as creating a prenuptial agreement. Contested divorce, or those with custody battles or the need for complex asset division, will cost more. Court fees, expert witnesses, and document filing can add additional costs.

Contact a Dedham Paternity Lawyer

The Dedham paternity lawyers of Farias Family Law, P.C., understand the sensitive nature of paternity cases and the implications they can have on your life. We’re committed to helping families resolve paternity issues with care.

Whether you’re looking to establish paternity, assert your rights, or defend against an inaccurate claim, our team can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.