Married couples in Naperville and across the state do not have to be concerned about establishing paternity. In the state of Illinois, as well as all states in the USA, have some form of presumption in the law that provides paternity to the husband when the couple is married.
However, for unmarried parents, paternity is not assumed or automatically granted. Instead, the couple has to take specific steps, or the father must take action, to provide paternity. There are several advantages to providing paternity for unwed fathers. These benefits also extend to verifying if the man is not the biological parent and ensuring he is not required to pay child support for a child that is not his.
Talking to a father’s rights attorney is an excellent starting point. That attorney will explain the process and provide information on the legal rights of the father. He or she can also help to navigate the challenges of working with the mother if there is conflict or difficulties in obtaining the necessary cooperation and support.
In the state of Illinois, the mother cannot begin the process of obtaining an order for child support unless paternity has been established.
Assisting the Child
The first thing a father’s rights attorney talks about is the benefits to the child in establishing paternity. The child is now eligible for any benefits that may be included in the father’s estate, and also allows for the child to be covered by any existing or future health insurance plan the father may have.
Paternity also allows the establishment of child support payments within the state guidelines. This is critical for Naperville fathers to be able to provide support for their child’s health and well-being.
Parenting Time
A key role a father’s rights attorney plays in this process is negotiating on the father’s behalf for parenting time with the child. This ability to have a structured relationship with the child is rewarding to the child as well as to the father. This relationship is essential for the child and provides another caring, loving person in the child’s life.
Establishing paternity can be done through several methods. The easiest is for both parents to sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity, more simply know as a VAP. If there is a question with paternity, a DNA test is an effective way to determine paternity without question.
Let the team of attorneys from Keller Legal Services help you to father’s right in Naperville.
