Establishing Paternity In North Carolina: Asheville Paternity Lawyers
Establishing paternity can be important for a lot of reasons. From establishing child support to securing inheritance rights, a paternity lawyer can help you understand why paternity actions are valuable.
At Bull & Reinhardt, PLLC, our family law attorneys have built a reputation in the Asheville community for helping clients resolve complex legal challenges. Our legal team consists of tough litigators and negotiators who are especially adept at dealing with complicated issues. Our team takes a straightforward approach and offers practical solutions to assist you in resolving legal challenges like establishing paternity.
Why Is Establishing Paternity Important?
Establishing paternity is crucial for several reasons. Under North Carolina law, paternity determines the legal father of a child, which can have significant implications for both the child and the parents. Here are a few key reasons why establishing paternity is important:
- Child support: Establishing paternity is a prerequisite for obtaining child support. Without legal paternity, the court cannot order a father to pay child support.
- Custody and visitation: Legal paternity allows fathers to seek custody or visitation rights.
- Medical history: A comprehensive medical history that includes both parents’ biological information is useful and sometimes critical for a child’s health.
- Inheritance rights: A child might not be able to inherit from their father if paternity has not been established.
- Benefits: Biological children might be eligible for certain benefits under their legal father, including Social Security, health insurance or military benefits.
Even in a divorce setting, establishing paternity can clarify parental rights and responsibilities, making it easier to resolve custody and support issues. Our paternity lawyers at Bull & Reinhardt, PLLC, have more than 60 years of combined experience helping families in western North Carolina resolve family law challenges, like paternity actions. They can help you better understand the benefits of initiating legal action to establish paternity.
How Is Paternity Established In North Carolina?
Every case is different, with unique sets of facts and circumstances. In the state of North Carolina, paternity can be established through several methods:
- Marriage: If a child is born during a marriage, the husband is presumed to be the father.
- Affidavit: Both parents can sign an Affidavit of Parentage, a legal document that acknowledges paternity.
- Court order: If paternity is being disputed or denied, either parent can ask the court to establish paternity by filing a petition in a North Carolina court. With today’s biological technologies, the court can simply order that the father undergo genetic testing to determine if he is the biological father of the child.
Our family law attorneys can guide you through the process of establishing paternity, whether it involves signing an affidavit or going to court. We are here to advocate for your interests and ensure that the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Consult An Asheville Paternity Lawyer
If you need assistance with establishing paternity, we encourage you to contact Bull & Reinhardt, PLLC. Call us at 828-254-0499 or you can also send us a message through our website. Let our experienced attorneys help you secure legal rights for yourself and your child.