Paternity Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
Establishing paternity can be a challenging matter, as it is necessary to determine matters related to child custody, child support, visitation, and more. Whether you are a father trying to establish your rights as a parent, or you are the other parent who is trying to obtain support from the child’s father, you need strong legal guidance throughout the paternity process. At Zitser Family Law Group, APC, we understand how critical and, sometimes, difficult establishing paternity can be. Our firm has over 20 years of experience proudly representing clients throughout Los Angeles, no matter which side of a paternity matter they may be on. We are ready to help you, too. To discuss your situation with a Los Angeles paternity establishment attorney, contact the Zitser Family Law Group, APC today and schedule a consultation.
What is Paternity?
Paternity is the official name for a case about child custody or parentage. Usually, if the natural parents are married when a child is born, there are no questions about child custody because the law presumes the paternity of the father. Paternity issues tend to arise when a child is born to an unmarried couple. In these instances, parentage of the child needs to be established legally and typically before child support, child custody, visitation rights, name change, health insurance, or birth expenses are resolved by the court.
Why is Paternity so Complicated?
Establishing paternity can be a complicated matter that is made even more complicated when there is a dispute between the parties. When disputing paternity, the court may order a genetic test, also known as a DNA test, to determine the paternity of the father. Sometimes, a voluntary declaration of paternity may be used to establish the paternity of a child. In other instances, child custody experts may get involved. Occasionally, the law may even determine that there may be more than two legal parents.
Other issues that tend to arise include determining who will care for the child, where the child will attend school, what extracurricular activities that child will be enrolled in, relocation of a party with the child, or even under what circumstances a parent can take the child out of the county, state, or country.
What Relief May be Sought?
In addition to child support and child-related expenses, the court can order one party to pay the opposing party’s attorney fees, including the cost of maintaining or defending the proceeding. The costs awarded may also include legal services or costs rendered before or after the commencement of the proceeding.
Contact a Los Angeles Paternity Attorney
Establishing parentage and figuring out who should have primary custody of the child and what financial assistance is appropriate is often a difficult and stressful situation. If you find yourself facing paternity issues, contact the Zitser Family Law Group today. With over 20 years of experience and training, our skilled team will help you obtain the best outcome for your particular case. Contact our firm today to discuss your situation.
