Fort Worth Paternity Lawyers

Trusted Legal Representation in Texas Since 1997

Not all biological fathers are legal fathers. In the case of an unmarried father, he may or may not have legal parental rights and responsibilities if the paternity of the child comes into question. Establishing the paternity of an unmarried father can be done through a legal process which then gives him all the rights and obligations that married and divorced fathers have, such as custody and visitation rights and child support responsibilities.

If you are someone who is seeking to establish paternity, whether as an unmarried mother pursuing child support or an unmarried father pursuing the right to be involved in your child’s life, Cañas & Flores can help. Our firm is dedicated to helping clients throughout our community resolve family law issues as effectively and efficiently as possible. With more than four decades of collective legal experience between our attorneys, you will have the benefit of a team approach to your case.

Arrange for a free, initial consultation at (817) 500-9448 or contact our Fort Worth paternity lawyers online today.

Father’s Rights in Paternity Cases

In Texas, when a child is born to an unmarried father, the child will have no legal father until paternity is established. Once that occurs, the father’s name can be added to the child’s birth certificate, which will give the father certain parental rights under the law.

How is Paternity Established in Texas?

Paternity can be established in two different ways:

• Voluntarily through a document called an Acknowledgment of Paternity signed by both the mother and the father
• Involuntarily through a court proceeding called an adjudication of parentage

The involuntary process can be initiated by the mother, father, or the state of Texas if the child is receiving public assistance. If the father fails to appear in court, he may be declared the legal father through default. If the father contests the paternity, DNA testing may be ordered to determine if he is the biological father. When DNA testing proves positive, the court will declare him the legal father and it may also issue orders of custody, visitation, and child support.

If you are a parent needing assistance with any aspect of paternity, we urge you to consult with Cañas & Flores so that we can evaluate your case and take appropriate legal action on your behalf.

Talk to a Fort Worth paternity attorney online or by calling us at (817) 500-9448 about your legal concerns today.