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Both parents have the right to have a relationship with their child.  However, paternity must be established before the court will provide any orders relating to the parent-child relationship.

 

A paternity or parentage suit is a legal action taken to determine the biological father of the child and may be filed by the mother or alleged father.

    

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FILING A PATERNITY SUIT

 

Once the father of the child is identified, the father can:

• Request possession and access to the child

• Seek to become the primary custodial parent

• Ask the court to give the child his last name

• Contest the adoption of the child by another man or person

• Provide financial and medical support to the child

 

Additionally, if the court finds that the alleged father is not the father, the court will renounce the father’s responsibilities or obligations. 

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