Cerritos Paternity Lawyers

Helping Fathers Establish Their Legal Rights

If you believe that you are the father or a child but are not married to the child’s mother, or there is a paternity dispute, you must hire an experienced attorney immediately.

Paternity cases can be legally complex and emotionally overwhelming for the parties involved. However, having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference in having legal rights to your child.

Additionally, because emotions tend to run high in paternity cases, it is always best to hire a lawyer who will act as your legal advocate to ensure your legal rights are protected.

Therefore, if you are dealing with paternity issues, you need an attorney to provide you with legal representation to ensure you obtain favorable results.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron, located in Cerritos, CA, has extensive experience helping fathers and will work tirelessly on your behalf. Contact our law offices and ask to schedule a free initial consultation so that we may discuss your case and determine what legal strategies best suit your needs.

How Can a Father Establish Paternity?

Under California law, the simplest way to establish paternity is to include the father’s name on the child’s birth certificate.

State law dictates that an unmarried father can only have their name placed on the birth certificate if he signs a voluntary declaration of parentage. Sometimes, the form may be signed by both parents before a notary. Another option is to request genetic testing to determine paternity.

However, in most instances, the form is signed by both parents at the hospital after the child is born. However, the form may also be signed later at participating government agencies, which include:

A local welfare office.
A local child support agency.
Registrar of births
A Family Law Facilitator at a local superior court.

If a previous birth certificate has been issued, an amended birth certificate will be reissued with both parent’s names listed. Once both parent’s names are recorded on the birth certificate, the document is considered legally binding when considering paternity issues.

It is important to note that once paternity has been established, it is extremely challenging to successfully dispute it later.

If you need further clarification regarding how paternity may be established, contact The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron to schedule a meeting to discuss your legal options.

What Legal Rights Does a Father Have in California?

Once paternity has been established, fathers are entitled to the same legal rights as mothers. Nevertheless, there is a common misconception that California family courts are biased and grant mothers more rights.

However, California courts make legal decisions based on what is in a child’s best interest. Some necessary legal rights that California fathers enjoy include:

Equal parental decision rights: California law favors joint legal custody between parents. When parents share joint legal custody, fathers are entitled to an equal say in medical and educational decisions and their children’s religious upbringing.
Equal parenting time: Depending on the circumstances of the case, California tries to give both parents each time with their children. In many cases, equal parenting time means the child alternates weeks of spending time at each parent’s home.
Child custody modifications: There are several reasons why a father may request a child custody modification, but common reasons include the mother trying to withhold the child from visits or engaging in parental alienation tactics.

If you need more information about your legal rights as a father in California, contact our Cerritos, CA, law office immediately to schedule a meeting with an experienced paternity lawyer.

Why is it Essential to Establish Paternity?

For many men, establishing paternity is an essential step in being allowed to be an active part of their children’s lives through child custody and visitation rights. Nevertheless, establishing paternity also provides fathers and children many other significant legal benefits, including:

Allows the father to provide health insurance for the child.
Grants the father the legal right to travel with the child.
Entitles the child to receive specific benefits, including life insurance and inheritances.
If paternity has been legally established, the child may be able to obtain Social Security or Veteran’s benefits if their father passes away.
Allows the mother and child to legally access the father’s family medical records.
Allows the mother the legal right to collect child support.

However, one of the most considerable advantages of establishing paternity is that it allows fathers and their children to develop deep emotional bonds. Additionally, knowing who their father is gives children a sense of identity as they bond with both sides of their family.

Establishing paternity is vital to allow fathers and their children the time they need together to bond with one another as a family unit.

Why Should I Choose Your Law Firm to Help Me With My Paternity Legal Issues?

The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron is passionately committed to helping fathers obtain their legal rights through establishing paternity.

One aspect that sets our paternity lawyers apart is our dedication to obtaining favorable results for our clients. Our highly trained team of legal professionals has vast experience helping clients and knows what it takes to obtain results.

Additionally, our law firm understands that trying to navigate the paternity legal process can be overwhelming, especially if you have been prohibited from spending time with your child.

Our paternity lawyers recognize that time is of the essence in family law legal issues and strive to resolve cases quickly for our clients.

If you wish to establish paternity or have legal questions regarding your rights, contact The Law Offices of Paul J. Duron of Cerritos, CA, by calling 562-205-8527 and asking to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a qualified legal team member.