Too many people associate paternity and parentage issues with scandalous day time television. However, these cases can affect people from all backgrounds, and they aren’t always as dramatic as people expect. As such, parents and other adults with concerns about paternity should not be afraid to discuss this important legal matter.
Establishing parentage can be crucial for Arizona parents who are in a committed relationship but not married as well as parents who may not know who the father of a child might be. In these and numerous other situations, it can be critical to legally establish paternity for at least a few reasons.
Reason #1: Only a parent can pay child support
Raising a child without financial support from a father can be very difficult for many mothers. Therefore, many mothers seek child support. However, if there is no legally-established father, then there is no one from whom the courts can order support.
Reason #2: Legal decision-making and parenting time rights are on the line
Establishing paternity allows fathers to pursue rights related to legal decision-making or parenting time for a child.
Reason #3: Genetic and cultural information can be valuable for a child
Having information about where we come from can be quite important, whether it affects our medical care or sense of identity. Even if there is no existing relationship between a parent and a child, understanding the biological connection can help people make informed decisions.
These are just a few of the reasons why it can be important to establish paternity. If you have any concerns or wishes regarding parenting rights, legal obligations, or a child’s sense of identity, then establishing paternity can be critical. In our next post, we will discuss the steps you can take to do this.