Paternity testing in California – what to know
California law makes establishing paternity a straightforward process. This is good news for parents who are anxious to exercise their legal rights with regard to their children. Establishing paternity in California is one of the best ways that parents can ensure that a child gets the best possible care and derives the most economic benefit. A California paternity test is the ideal method for legally demonstrating a father’s responsibility.
California law presumes that a married couple are the legal parents of any offspring of the union. This automatic establishment of paternity is sufficient in most cases. State law also recognizes this automatic establishment of paternity with regard to registered domestic partners. This law came into effect on January 1, 2005. Accordingly, any children born into a domestic partnership after this date are considered the legal offspring of the registered couple.
When the parents are not married, it is essential to establish parentage in California. Usually, this entails getting a court order to that effect or signing a “Declaration of Paternity” document that is filed with the state. If parents are not married at the time of conception or at the time of the child’s birth, then the child does not legally have a father unless or until parentage is established. This is an essential first step as custody, visitation and support rights cannot be granted by the court until the child has a legal father.
Sometimes, the mother and father can agree to raising and supporting their child together with relatively little difficulty. However, when paternity is in doubt, these cases can become muddled and frustrating. When this occurs, it’s common for the court to order both parents and the child to submit to genetic testing.
Once parentage is established, both parents are required to financially support their child. It is a crime not to do so, which is why paternity testing is such a vital part of the process. DNA paternity testing conclusively settles the question of who fathered a particular child. With an accuracy rate of 99.9 percent, it is a simple matter to establish a child’s paternity beyond any doubt. Paternity testing in the womb is not at all unusual, especially since many parents want to establish their rights and responsibilities before the arrival of their child. However, paternity testing may be done at any time after the child’s birth.
Whether you are looking for prenatal paternity testing in California or your child has already been born, you need an AABB certified laboratory to conduct genetic testing. When properly conducted, these California paternity test results can be used as evidence in a court of law. Establishing paternity rights in California has never been easier or more straightforward.