Legitimation & Paternity

Parental Rights & Responsibilities

A Paternity process is how to determine the biological father of a child. The presumption of paternity claim must go through a legal process in order to become an established legal fact.

Legitimation asserts the right of the the biological father to establish his relationship with the child, and then establish his legal rights to have an active role in the life of the child.

The paternity process for legal matters involves several steps. It can take months to complete the DNA testing, prepare and file paperwork, and navigate throught the family court system. You can benefit from the services of a family law attorney.

Reasons for Paternity Test

• Child will know the identity of their father
• Mother may request child support from the father
• Father may request child visitation time
• Grandparents may request visitation time
• Father may request custody of the child
• Men falsely cited as being the father can prove the child is not theirs

Paternity Laws in Georgia

How Paternity is Determined

Any child support case in Georgia must include a formal determination of paternity. The State recognizes several ways to determine who is the father of a child. Paternity may be established by one of the following:

• Paternity Tests (DNA testing) which must be processed through a local court
• Parents are legally married to each other when the child is born
• Unwed parents sign and submit a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgement Form when the child is born
• Via court order (judicial or administrative order, divorce decree, or separation agreement)

Need information or assistance with a paternity or legitimation matter? Schedule a consultation with a with a family law attorney.