Fort Worth Paternity Legal Support
For unmarried parents in Texas, the father does not have legal rights to his biological child until paternity is established. If your role as the biological father of your child is being contested, or if you’re a mother looking to disprove paternity or attain child support, the experienced Fort Worth paternity attorneys at Sean Lynch, PLLC, are here to help.
How Do I Establish Paternity Rights?
In today’s society, not all parents are married when they have children. While the law does not presume paternity for unmarried fathers, it does provide a clear path for establishing paternity.
In Texas, unmarried parents can immediately establish paternity after their child is born by signing an affidavit at the hospital. This will ensure that the father’s name is written on the birth certificate and that his paternity rights are legally recognized.
If your status as the child’s biological father is questioned, a DNA test may be performed. If the results show that you are indeed the child’s biological father, it will clear the way for us to enforce your paternity rights. If there are issues beyond that, we can file a petition with the court that compels the opposing party to comply.
Quality Legal Services at a Price You Can Afford
The paternity lawyers at Sean Lynch, PLLC, are pleased to offer some of the most affordable legal services in Fort Worth and Arlington. Unlike other law firms in DFW, we are up-front about our pricing, so that you know exactly what you’ll pay.
We are able to offer the majority of our services for an initial retainer of $2,000; however, some cases, like uncontested matters or enforcement cases, might be less. Likewise, some cases might require additional upfront funds.
What sets us apart from other attorneys is that we do not bill hourly. Rather, we bill out of the initial retainer based on a flat-rate, per event price structure, which is outlined in your contract. This way, you know exactly what to expect on your monthly bill based on what work has been done in your case. No hidden fees, only up-front pricing.
The Importance of Paternity Rights
In most situations, it’s a win for everybody when paternity is established.
- Fathers win because they can now exercise their legal right to visit with and make some parenting decisions regarding their child.
- Mothers win because they can now file a petition for child support.
- Children win because they are now eligible to receive legal benefits and financial support from their father, in addition to all of the obvious emotional benefits.
- Health care from the father’s insurance
- Social security in the event the father dies
- A chance to actually build a relationship with their father
When Should I Establish Paternity Rights?
Whenever possible, our Tarrant County paternity attorneys recommend that paternity is established as soon after the child’s birth as possible. However, paternity can legally be established any time before the child turns 18.
How Can I Disprove Paternity?
It’s not uncommon these days for there to be disputes over paternity. If a mother is asserting that you are the father, and you don’t believe this to be the case, you can file an application with the courts to disprove your paternity through a genetic or DNA test.
DFW Paternity Attorneys
Whether you are a father seeking to establish paternity, or a single mother seeking to receive child support from the biological father, our award-winning paternity lawyers can help enforce your rights. Please call us today at 817-668-5879 to arrange your consultation.
