Los Angeles Paternity Lawyers and Family Law Attorneys
THE LAW OFFICES OF CATHLEEN E. NORTON
California paternity law
Paternity is the legal or biological relationship between a child and his or her biological father. In Los Angeles California, the word, “paternity” is used interchangeably with “parentage” or “parental relationship.” California paternity law deals with the rights and obligations of both the biological or natural father and the child to each other as well as to others.
A paternity case is a legal action filed by an unmarried mother or unmarried father to establish who is the legal father of a child or children. The paternity can be established in Los Angeles family court when:
you need to know who the legal father of a child is; or
you need to make sure the child has a legal father;
and the parents have not signed a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage form.
Under California law, when parents are married, paternity is automatically established in most cases. If parents are unmarried, paternity establishment is not automatic and the process should be started by both parents as soon as possible for the benefit of the child. This is most commonly an issue for unmarried couples to establish paternity in order to get child support or child custody and visitation. In Los Angeles, the family law court is authorized to order genetic/DNA tests in any action in which paternity is a relevant fact. Whenever paternity is at issue, the court may, on its own motion or on a suggestion made by or on behalf of any person who is involved, order a mother, child and alleged father to submit to genetic tests. Los Angeles family law court may make orders for child support and child custody and visitation once paternity is established.
At the Law Offices of Cathleen E. Norton, our Los Angeles family law attorneys can help you with the paternity process and work with you through the difficult issue to the best possible outcome for your children. Contact Los Angeles Paternity Lawyers and Family Law Attorneys (310) 300-4021.