If you need legal assistance with a family law case, you have come to the right place. At the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C., our attorneys have the legal resources and insight required to handle these kinds of cases.
With 46 years of combined experience and countless satisfied clients behind us, we can help you, regardless of whether you are a father interested in assuming your paternity rights or you are a mother who wishes to petition for child support.
Speak with a Los Angeles paternity attorney today! Call us at (213) 798-4854 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation. We are here to help you navigate paternity matters and protect your rights.
What is Paternity?
Paternity refers to the legal determination of a child’s father. Once a court establishes paternity, the father has rights such as seeking custody or visitation and must also provide child support. Paternity also gives the child the right to inherit from both parents and can give access to benefits such as medical insurance or social security.
Establishing legal paternity in California gives a child access to their medical history and confirms eligibility for state and federal programs. In Los Angeles County, paternity orders impact the parent-child relationship and determine important long-term outcomes for parents and children. Courts often require parents to file specific documents with the Family Law Division in downtown Los Angeles or at area branch courthouses.
In California, these are the main ways to establish paternity:
Voluntary Declaration of Paternity: This occurs when both parents agree that a man is the biological father. If the parents are unmarried, both can sign a Declaration of Paternity form at the hospital or later at the local child support office. Filing this form makes it legally binding.
Paternity Test: If there is a dispute, a court can order a DNA test to determine the biological father. The test usually uses a blood sample or cheek swab from the child and the alleged father.
Court Judgment: Sometimes the court decides paternity after reviewing case facts. This often happens in a custody or child support dispute when parents disagree about the father’s identity.
Can You Sue for False Paternity in California?
Yes, a man can sue the child's mother if she lied about him being the father. Under California law, there is a five-year statute of limitations for filing a petition to set aside a paternity judgment. A woman has a legal obligation to notify the correct man if he is the child's father.
California courts review false paternity claims carefully and look at all available evidence before making a ruling. In Los Angeles, these cases often involve collecting documents, reviewing medical records, and following local court procedures. Addressing false paternity as soon as possible can help protect parental rights and clarify legal obligations.
Our firm can help you establish paternity under the following circumstances:
Acknowledged father:The man admits paternity or the parents agree on paternity.
Presumed father:The man gives the child his last name on the birth certificate, was married to the mother when the child was born or conceived, or welcomed the child into his home.
Alleged father:An unmarried man who may have fathered a child.
Importance of Paternity in Family Law Matters
Once a court establishes paternity, it affects the rights and responsibilities of parents and the child. Paternity orders help determine matters like custody, visitation, and child support. A paternity lawyer in Los Angeles can guide you through the legal process, explain your rights, and help you understand how a court’s decision could affect your family.
In Los Angeles, legal paternity also means parents can access important information such as a child’s medical history and eligibility for state and federal benefits. This process supports each child’s best interests by providing access to family medical records and resources. The specific rules in LA County influence how claims are processed, so working with a local attorney helps ensure the process goes smoothly.
Child Custody and Visitation
Paternity affects child custody and visitation arrangements. Once the court establishes paternity, either parent can request custody or visitation rights.
California courts focus on the best interests of the child when reviewing custody and visitation. These factors include:
The child’s relationship with each parent.
The ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs.
The health and safety of the child.
The child’s preference, if old enough to express one.
Once paternity is established, the father gains an equal voice in decisions about the child’s upbringing, which can impact the custody schedule.
Child Support
When a court confirms paternity, the father is legally obligated to provide financial support. Child support is based on several factors, including each parent's income, the child's needs, and the time each parent spends with the child.
Families in Los Angeles face unique challenges arranging child support because of the area’s high cost of living, educational options, and varied financial circumstances. California’s guidelines apply to all local families, weighing each parent’s ability to meet physical, educational, and medical needs. Local family courts look at modification or enforcement requests based on thorough financial records, so keeping organized documents can make a significant difference.
The California child support guidelines ensure both parents contribute to the child’s financial well-being.
If a father does not pay, or falls behind on child support, a paternity lawyer in Los Angeles can help enforce the support order and address the child’s needs. A lawyer can also assist with modifying a support order if major life changes occur, such as a job loss or a change in custody.
The Role of a Los Angeles Paternity Attorney
Paternity issues involve detailed legal procedures and often stir strong emotions in families. If you need to establish paternity, challenge an existing order, or resolve custody and support matters, a paternity attorney in Los Angeles can protect your interests and explain your options throughout the process.
Los Angeles County courts require specific forms, procedures, and evidence, which can be overwhelming. Lawyers in the area work with families at every stage, helping them file paperwork correctly and present their facts in court. Many Los Angeles courts offer language access services to meet the needs of the region’s diverse community and help clients communicate clearly.
A lawyer can assist with the following issues:
Navigating legal processes: Paternity cases can be complex, and a lawyer will help guide you through each step to ensure everything is handled properly and on time.
DNA testing: If the parents dispute paternity, a lawyer can help arrange for DNA testing and see that the results are handled according to the law.
Child custody and support: Legal guidance can help you work through challenges involving custody and child support, so you can reach a solution that serves the child’s best interests.
Legal representation: If a case goes to court, a paternity lawyer in Los Angeles can present your position and defend your rights.
How Timing Affects Paternity Cases in Los Angeles
Timing is critical in paternity cases. Los Angeles County courts follow California’s deadlines for filing paternity claims, challenging existing orders, and responding to notices. Delays or missed deadlines reduce legal options, especially when parents respond to official court documents or request changes to support and custody. For those facing a dispute, prompt action and careful attention to local timelines help the process move efficiently.
Case timelines differ among Los Angeles courthouses. Some locations experience longer waiting periods for hearings, especially in central LA. To track the current status, families can check the Los Angeles Superior Court’s website or contact their local courthouse. Knowing how processing times can vary helps families plan and set clear expectations for their case.
A DNA test compares the genetic material of a child and the alleged father to check for a biological match. If the results show a biological relationship, the court will consider this evidence when making a legal determination. Most DNA testing uses a simple cheek swab and follows court requirements.
What if one parent does not cooperate with paternity proceedings?
If a parent refuses to participate or respond to court orders, the judge can enter a default ruling based on available evidence. The court may still move forward to resolve custody, visitation, and support for the child’s best interests.
Can paternity be established after a child turns 18?
Sometimes, paternity can be established after a child reaches adulthood, especially for inheritance or other legal rights. Certain obligations, such as child support, usually do not apply retroactively once the child is an adult. Legal advice can help clarify your options in these cases.
Our firm's founder is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. What does this mean to you? It means that when you turn to our firm for assistance, you will be turning to a firm that truly knows family law.
We approach every case with a clear understanding of legal and financial complexity, drawing from years of experience serving clients across Los Angeles. Our team stays current on court procedures, local filing requirements, and legal developments affecting paternity matters. With in-depth knowledge of Los Angeles County’s Superior Court system, we provide guidance tailored to the region’s specific rules and timelines.
If your case must be resolved in court, you can feel confident that your rights and interests are protected by our team of divorce lawyers. Once paternity is established, the court determines legal and physical custody for the child.
We Are On Your Side!
Acting quickly on legal matters often leads to better results. Our team will help you work through your paternity issue step by step. The Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC is committed to supporting you throughout the process.
What Sets Our Approach Apart for Los Angeles Families
At Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC, we bring strong backgrounds in both law and finance to each paternity case. This focus benefits families throughout Los Angeles County. Our lead attorney’s experience as a former CPA enables us to address legal and financial considerations as part of every paternity determination. Direct attorney-client relationships are key to our process, with each client working with a single attorney from the start of the case to the finish. This approach keeps communication clear and avoids the misunderstandings that often occur at larger firms. Every case receives focused attention, and clients receive timely updates at every stage.
We adapt our guidance to match court expectations throughout Los Angeles, knowing local judges and court staff often require specific filings and operate on fast timelines. By staying hands-on and available, we offer up-to-date advice on deadlines, available resources, and processes for local families. Our approach helps you make informed choices and navigate paternity issues with greater confidence.
Please call our office at (213) 798-4854 to get full protection of your paternal rights from our Los Angeles paternity lawyers.
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