Paternity Defined

Paternity Defined

Paternity is the legal identification and acknowledgement of the relationship between a father and a child – or children. Largely, the qualification of a paternal relationship is applicable to circumstances in which biological birth occurred; yet, as a result of the growing adoption and foster rate on both an international and domestic level alike, the notion of paternity is not specific to birthparents.

However, upon the birth of a child, the birthparents are required to sign the accompanying birth certificate; this authenticates and identifies them as the maternal and paternal units with the regard to the child. Paternity can also consist of additional variables, such as financial and parental support with regard to the expenses and responsibility of child-rearing; when applicable, benefits incurred by the father, the transfer of assets, and insurance coverage with regard to a child will be investigated.

What is Child Support?

Child Support is the legal instrument of financial restitution provided by the non-custodial parent (the birthparent of the child in question without primary custody) to the custodial parent (the birthparent who has undertaken primary custody of the child in question).

Child support is determined by the court presiding over the respective Paternity suit; these payments are regulated upon a variety of criteria, including the income of both parents involved, the number of children involved in the Paternity suit, and the measure of parental burden – this is classified as the overarching responsibility innate in raising the child or children in question.

Upon the determination of Paternity as a result of a paternity test, child support payments may be incurred; in the event that a birthparent has been absent in the life of the child prior to the discovery of Paternity, retroactive child support payments may be collected, as well.

Paternity Testing Defined

Although there have been a variety of paternity testing developed as modern science has expanded and grown, the notion of a paternity test can be instrumental in the lives of all individuals involved in a Paternity lawsuit; not only can the results of a paternity test affect the notion of custody with regard to the child – or children – in question, but paternity may also affect matters surrounding insurance, support, and legally-mandated financial restitution.

In addition to the United States Judicial system, DNA paternity testing is widely accepted as admissible in court proceedings with regard to the determination of paternity with regard to a Paternity lawsuit on an international level, as well; DNA paternity testing has been reported to be 99.9% accurate in its results.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is considered by many to be the chemical and biological makeup up human beings; this hereditary instrument is responsible for the genetic traits, genetic code, and identity.

DNA paternity testing involves the investigation of individual DNA strands , which are distinctive within each individual; individuals who share blood relation share much of the same DNA – however, no two individual DNA strands are identical.

DNA paternity testing involves an applicator inserted into the mouth of the subjects (the birthparent and child in question) and briefly rubbed against the cheek in order to collect DNA samples; the sample is then introduced to an enzyme that allows for the subsequent tangential breakdown of that individuals DNA – this process is considered to be virtually painless.

The collected DNA strands are analyzed and compared with one another in a laboratory.

Paternity Legal Assistance

The procedures and legislation implicit in the process of the investigation and lawsuit with regard to a Paternity charge can fluctuate on an individual, case-by-case basis. Elements examined in the determination of the validity and legality of a Paternity suit exists in conjunction with paternity testing and all applicable requirements.

In the event that an individual wishes to engage in a paternity test or request the testing of another individual, they are encouraged to consult an attorney specializing in family law, custody law, litigation, and child law. Paternity suits can be an extremely emotional and trying experience; an attorney can assist in the determination of paternity and – if applicable – the ability to receive financial assistance in the upbringing of a child.

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