Paternity Actions

Dallas Paternity Rights Attorney

A paternity suit is a lawsuit used to determine the biological parent of a child. These suits are typically used when a child is born out of wedlock, or if the husband is not believed to be the father of the child. The main purposes for paternity actions are to allow the biological mother to seek child support from the child's biological father, and the father to have a relationship with the child, including visitation. The Texas paternity rights attorneys at The Williamson Group, PC. can assist you if you are considering filing a suit to determine paternity.

Under Texas law, the following individuals may file a paternity action:

• The child's mother
• A man who is seeking to determine his parentage
• A relative of the child's mother or alleged father if that parent is deceased
• The child
• A government agency
• Any person closely related to the mother of the child if the mother is deceased

Mother's Paternity Actions

Paternity can be established by a written acknowledgment, but when the alleged father denies paternity, a proceeding to determine paternity can be initiated by the mother. DNA paternity tests, while not conclusive unless they exclude the alleged father, are given significant weight by the courts. When the test results indicate a paternity probability of ninety-five (95%) percent or greater, there is a presumption of paternity that must be rebutted by the party challenging paternity. Once paternity is established, the court may award child support and appropriate attorney fees.

Alleged Father's Paternity Actions

If you are involved in a divorce and suspect that a child born during your marriage is not your biological child, you may challenge the paternity of the child. If you go through with the divorce and do not contest paternity and a final decree is entered, you will have waived your right to contest paternity and the court order will contain a declaration that the child is a child of the marriage. An experienced Texas paternity rights attorney can help free you from responsibility that should not be yours.

Contact US

Contact the experienced Texas paternity lawyers at Williamson Group, PC. for knowledgeable paternity representation.