What is Parentage?

Parentage, also known as paternity or maternity, is the legal recognition of a child’s parents. Establishing parentage is essential for securing parental rights, responsibilities, and benefits such as custody, visitation, child support, and inheritance.

Why is Establishing Parentage Important?

Legal Rights & Responsibilities – Determines custody, visitation, and decision-making authority.
Child Support Obligations – Ensures both parents contribute financially to the child’s well-being.
Access to Benefits – Allows a child to receive health insurance, Social Security, and inheritance rights.
Emotional & Family Bonds – Provides the child with a sense of identity and connection to both parents.

How is Parentage Established?

Parentage can be established in several ways, depending on the circumstances:

• Presumption of Parentage – In many states, a child born to married parents is automatically presumed to be the child of both spouses.
• Voluntary Acknowledgment – Unmarried parents can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage to legally establish parental rights.
• Court Order – If parentage is disputed, a court may establish parentage through legal proceedings, often requiring DNA testing.
• Adoption – Legal parentage is granted through the adoption process, ensuring full parental rights.

Common Parentage Disputes

Parentage issues can become complex in situations such as:

Paternity Challenges – When a parent disputes or denies biological parentage.
Parental Rights for Unmarried Parents – Determining custody, visitation, and support obligations when parents were never married.
Assisted Reproduction & Surrogacy – Legal parentage for children conceived through IVF, surrogacy, or sperm/egg donation.
Same-Sex Parentage – Ensuring legal rights for both parents in LGBTQ+ families.

Need Legal Guidance on Parentage?

Whether you need to establish, dispute, or protect your parental rights, our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process.

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