WOODLANDS PATERNITY LAWYER
Whether you and your child’s mother are unmarried, separated, or divorced, you still deserve parental rights as your child’s father. However, in many cases, fathers have to establish paternity to protect these rights – especially if you and your child’s mother were never married and are no longer in a relationship. This can be a complicated process that may cause disputes, making it challenging to develop a solution and make decisions regarding child custody and visitation on your own. Fortunately, our Woodlands paternity attorneys at Moffett Law Firm are here to help you fight for your rights and achieve the resolution you deserve.
We have over 30 years of collective experience handling highly-complex family law cases, including paternity suits. Therefore, we have the knowledge and skill to take on your case, no matter the circumstances. Our passionate team takes a personal approach and works with you to develop a customized solution based on your unique needs and goals. We want to help you make the best decisions for your emotional well-being and financial future, so we communicate with you and guide you through every step of the process to establish your parental rights, protect your rights once established, and safeguard your financial future.
3 Reasons to File Paternity Suits in Texas
A mother, father, or child can file a paternity suit for several reasons. Typical factors that lead to a paternity suit in Texas include the following:
Gain or Establish Parental Rights
In child custody cases involving unmarried parents, Texas law grants the child’s mother total custody of the child until paternity is established. Therefore, you may want to file a paternity suit to gain custody or visitation rights, gain or establish decision-making capabilities, establish a visitation schedule, and establish a relationship with your child. Once a genetic test proves a biological relationship with your child, you may gain parental rights based on what is in the child’s best interests. Our knowledgeable Woodlands paternity lawyers can help you navigate this process and fiercely advocate for your goals and rights.
Child Support Payments
A child’s mother may file a paternity suit if she wants to receive child support payments. Once paternity is proven, the mother can file for child support.
Understand Health History
A child may also file a paternity suit to learn more about their father and health history. Paternity tests can provide insight into any genetic conditions the child may carry. Establishing paternity may also give the child access to benefits like inheritance, medical and life insurance, and Social Security.
2 Ways to Establish Paternity in The Woodlands
If you decide to file a suit, how you establish biological fatherhood depends on whether you and the other parent agree on the child’s paternity. Two methods to prove paternity in Texas include the following:
- Acknowledgment of paternity: If both parents agree on the child’s paternity, they can file an Acknowledgment of Paternity form. This is often done at the hospital when a baby is born, but if not, the parents fill out this form and add the father’s name to the birth certificate.
- Petition to Adjudicate Parentage: If the parents disagree on the child’s paternity, one parent typically initiates a Petition to Adjudicate Parentage. During the litigation process, the court may order DNA testing to establish paternity to confirm that the correct alleged father is involved in the lawsuit.
Both methods often involve a lot of paperwork and a complicated legal process, so it’s important to have an organized and skillful lawyer by your side who will handle every step for you. Our highly attentive team at Moffett Law Firm can help by keeping you informed and provide consistent communication to give you the best chance of achieving your desired outcome.
How Can a Woodlands Paternity Lawyer Help You With Your Paternity Suit?
It’s essential to contact an experienced and trustworthy lawyer who will aggressively protect your rights every step of the way. At Moffett Law Firm, we help you manage every element of your paternity case, including the following:
- Thoroughly investigating your case
- Filing and organizing all the necessary documents and paperwork
- Gathering evidence
- Negotiating on your behalf
- Mediating disputes
- Taking your case to court
- Answering all your questions
We understand a paternity case can feel overwhelming, but with our Woodlands paternity lawyers by your side, you can rest assured you have a team that will fight for you and your best interests.
Contact a Reliable Woodlands Paternity Attorney at Moffett Law Firm Today
Regardless of your reason for pursuing a paternity action, you deserve representation that will fight for your rights and support you every step of the way. At Moffett Law Firm, we strive to do just that by listening to your story and getting to the heart of your case to represent you in the best way possible. We balance knowledge and expertise to help you achieve the best outcome possible for your case.
In our combined 30 years serving The Woodlands area, we have handled multiple complex paternity cases. Our dedicated lawyers understand the frustrations you may feel, so we advocate tirelessly for you, your parental rights, and your desired results. We are here for you from start to finish, beginning with an initial consultation in which we listen to your story and determine the best course of action for your case. To schedule your initial consultation, call us at (713) 333-5800 or fill out our contact form.