Baltimore Paternity Lawyer
There is a number of reasons that a parent may need to prove paternity for a child. For example, a mother may want to prove that a person is the father of their child, or the father may want to show that the mother lied about the father of the child. Despite the facts of your case, you should avoid handling this matter on your own. If you need assistance to prove paternity in Baltimore, Maryland, you should consult with an experienced Baltimore paternity attorney as soon as possible.
Rice, Murtha & Psoras recognize that paternity matters are often sensitive topics for a family, and we are here to offer you the legal representation you deserve in your time of need. Our firm can help you prove or disprove paternity in your case. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss the details of your paternity case, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911. You may also contact the firm online to schedule your free consultation today.
Benefits of Establishing Paternity in Baltimore
To establish paternity means that a court will determine whether a person is the biological father of a child. As mentioned, there are many reasons why a father may want to prove or disprove paternity of a child. There are also a variety of benefits to establishing paternity that can benefit a father and their child. The following are benefits that may arise due to the establishment of paternity.
Ability to Seek Child Custody
If a father successfully establishes paternity of a child, they can then use this information to support a request for custody of the child. There are many cases where a father could be prevented from seeing his child or making decisions on behalf of the child due to issues with paternity. However, once paternity is established, a father could request full or joint custody of a child or could attempt to seek visitation rights.
Note, however, that a father can seek custody or visitation of a child without establishing paternity first. While this is an option, it may be more prudent to prove a biological link to the child before requesting custody.
Provide Benefits for the Child
If a father is concerned about whether their child will be eligible to receive benefits from their employment and other sources, the establishment of paternity could help resolve those fears. Showing paternity will allow a father to provide the child with a variety of benefits such as life insurance, healthcare, veteran’s benefits, Social Security benefits, and an inheritance.
Medical History Links between Father and Child
Proving paternity also helps a child handle medical issues that may be linked to their father. For example, if the father comes from a family with a history of diabetes, it would be easier for the child to discover this information.
There are many other factors that could be considered when proving paternity. If you wish to learn more about how to establish paternity in Maryland, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Baltimore paternity attorney today.
Methods of Establishing Paternity in Baltimore, MD
To establish paternity in Baltimore, Maryland, there are three methods that can be used:
- Marital presumption
- Affidavit of Parentage
- Judicial declaration
Marital Presumption
If the mother of the child in question is married at the time the child was born, the husband will be presumed to be the father of the child. Note, however, that there is a rebuttable presumption that the child in question is actually the child of the husband. This means that while the court will assume the husband is the father of the child, the court is open to receive arguments that prove the husband is actually not the father of the child.
Affidavit of Parentage
If a mother is not married at the time when a child is born, the mother could opt to use an Affidavit of Parentage to prove who is the father of the child. The Affidavit of Parentage is a legal document that can be voluntarily signed by both parents in order to establish paternity.
The father of the child can sign the Affidavit of Parentage, whether he is married to another person or even if he is under the age of 18. This form can be signed at the hospital at the time of the child’s birth, or it can be signed at a later date. If you are concerned about signing an Affidavit of Parentage, you should first speak with an experienced paternity attorney to discuss your case.
Judicial Declaration
The father of a child can also be established by judicial declaration. For example, a court may order the prospective father to undergo genetic testing upon request from the mother. Alternatively, the court may also declare paternity through the admission by the father of the child.
If you are concerned about establishing paternity for a child, our firm is here for you in your time of need.
Consult with Our Experienced Baltimore Paternity Attorney Today
If you or a family member need assistance with proving paternity, you should contact an experienced Baltimore paternity lawyer as soon as possible. The legal team at Rice, Murtha & Psoras is committed to providing our clients with the legal representation they need to handle their paternity cases. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your Maryland paternity case, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911. You could also schedule your free consultation by using our online submission form.