Austin Paternity Lawyer

How to Establish Paternity in Texas

When a child is born to a woman who is married, the assumed legal father of the child is her husband. If a child is born to unwed parents, the man can fill out a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form to legally claim that he is the biological father of the child without the need for court involvement.

However, if both individuals are not cooperating, there are several parties who have the right to request an order on paternity such as:

• The mother of the child
• The man claiming to be the biological father of the child
• The man alleged to be the father of the child
• At a certain age, the child
• A governmental agency

When the Court Becomes Involved

If there is a dispute over parentage, the Texas court will most likely order blood tests. Typically, the costs of these tests are shared by both parties. If the tests reveal that the named individual is not the parent, the case is dismissed.

If paternity is established, however, the court will then make decisions concerning:

• Child support
• Custody
• Visitation

Assisting Mothers & Fathers With Paternity Matters

Whether you are a mother trying to secure the child support you need to provide for the future, or a father fighting for the right to have a role in your child’s life, we are ready to walk you through this family law matter. Even if the child in question is not yet born, we encourage you to come in and discuss your rights and options as soon as possible.