Fort Wayne and Auburn, Indiana Attorney at Law
Paternity cases determine custody, support, and parenting time rights when children are born out-of-wedlock. A paternity case also results in a legal determination (as contrasted with a scientific determination) of the identity of a child's father. Upon a finding by a Court of a man's paternity, a Court is obligated to enter an Order regarding the child's custody, support, and parenting time. For more information regarding the factors a Court will look at in making the initial custody determination, please visit "Child Custody and Support" in our practice area webpage. For more information regarding the criteria utilized in determining child support, please visit "Child Custody and Support" in our practice area webpage
A father's paternity is able to be established in a number of ways. One way is if the father executes a paternity affidavit within seventy-two (72) hours of the child's birth. Although this establishes the paternity of the father, it is still necessary to have a legal determination of custody, support, and parenting time to establish rights and responsibilities. A second way is the father's admission in open Court. It is customary for a father to be advised that he has a right to a genetic test and even a jury trial regarding the results of that test. A father may, however, waive or give up these rights and acknowledge his paternity. Another way that paternity can be established is by virtue of a genetic test. The DNA of the parties is collected typically through a "Q-Tip" swab of the inner cheek; it is almost unheard of now for an actual blood test to be utilized. The samples are then tested in a lab, and the results then forwarded to the Court. The science behind these tests has evolved dramatically over time, and they are held to be very reliable.
It is important to know that a father's "rights" to custody and parenting time, as well as a mother's "right" to collect child support if she is awarded custody, are only established upon a finding of paternity. Until this has been legally determined, these "rights" typically do not exist. It is consequently very important to have a Judicial determination of each parent's rights and responsibilities.
Nordmann Law Offices provides a more thorough explanation of all these ideas at a free initial consultation.
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Nordmann Law Offices
Fort Wayne Office
110 West Berry Street
2010 National Center
Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2316
260-420-5511 (phone)
260-420-5521 (fax)
Auburn Office
600 South Main Street
Auburn, IN 46706
260-925-5200 (phone)
260-420-5521 (fax)
Based in Fort Wayne and Auburn, Indiana, Nordmann Law Offices represents clients in Fort Wayne, Auburn, Angola, Indianapolis, Decatur, Bluffton, Columbia City, Huntington, Albion, LaGrange, and Kendallville; as well as Steuben County, De Kalb County, Allen County, Noble County, Wells County, Adams County, Huntington County, Whitley County, Marion County, and LaGrange County, Indiana.
