South Bend Paternity Lawyer

Whether you are looking to establish paternity or to dispute it, advice and action from a family law attorney can be necessary for you to make an informed decision that is best for your wants and goals. My firm in South Bend, Longstreet Law LLC, serves the whole St. Joseph County area with family law matters, including paternity issues. I also can serve clients in Indianapolis.

How Can Fathers Establish Paternity In South Bend, Indiana?

As a father, you can establish paternity in two primary ways: By signing a Voluntary Paternity Affidavit or by pursuing a court action for a DNA test.

• Voluntary Paternity Affidavit: You are required to sign the affidavit within 72 hours of the child’s birth. If you miss that window, you can still sign it later at your local health department, the county clerk’s office or the local DCS office.
• Court-Ordered Paternity: You can start by filing a petition with the Circuit Court or Superior Court in the county where you or the child resides. Afterward, the court may order genetic testing.

Under Indiana law, a paternity affidavit is voluntary and does not require litigation. Both parents must sign the affidavit for the man to be acknowledged as the child’s biological father. On the other hand, genetic testing requires litigation to provide enforceable legal rights, such as support orders. As a South Bend paternity lawyer, I can help you file for the DNA testing and ensure your interests are protected.

How Long Do Fathers Have To Establish Paternity In Indiana?

As a father, you generally have two years from the child’s birth to file a paternity action. However, if the child has received public assistance, the state, through the Indiana Department of Child Services, may file a paternity action up until the child turns 19 or graduates from high school.

Advice For Sound Decisions

There are times when you are caught up in a situation that is emotional, yet you need to make a rational decision that will have a lasting impact. Full awareness of the rights and responsibilities of signing a paternity affidavit is vital. Signing a paternity affidavit can grant:

• Possible child custody
• Parenting time
• Child support responsibility

A consultation with an experienced family law lawyer is a recommended step. I am Laura Longstreet, and I can represent your interests and defend your rights whether you choose to mediate to establish a co-parenting agreement or initiate a paternity action in court.

Can You Order A DNA Test If The Other Parent Refuses?

Yes, in Indiana, you can obtain a court-ordered DNA test even if the other parent refuses. A judge usually orders the mother, alleged father and child to submit to DNA testing. However, only tests conducted by accredited laboratories are accepted as legal proof. At-home kits are not sufficient. As a reputed St. Joseph County lawyer, I can help you secure a court order and ensure compliance.

Invalidating Paternity

It is a challenging prospect to discover that you are not the biological father of a child that is considered your legal child. If you were previously ordered to pay child support in a divorce decree, it could be challenging to overturn a designation of paternity. In this type of situation, I will work hard to represent your rights and best interests zealously.

If you have signed a paternity affidavit at the time a child is born, believing that you are the father of that child, and later learn that might not be true, there are strict timelines at play to challenge the validity of that paternity affidavit. Indiana law provides that you must file an action in a court with jurisdiction over paternity to request an order for a genetic test within 60 days of the date that the paternity affidavit was executed. Reach out to me today to help guide you through that challenging process.

Why Hire A South Bend Paternity Lawyer From Longstreet Law LLC?

Choosing the right paternity attorney can make the difference in your paternity case. When you work with me, you will not just get legal representation; you will have an advocate with the following qualities:

• Compassionate guidance: I can approach your case with empathy and respect.
• Trusted attorney: In South Bend and Indianapolis, I have built a reputation for strong advocacy.
• Understanding of the community you live in: I deeply understand the local courts and the challenges families face here.
• Customized representation: I can tailor my legal strategy to your specific circumstances,

Establishing paternity is about securing your role in your child’s life. I am here to help you move forward with confidence.

Schedule A Consultation With A South Bend Paternity Lawyer

Whether you want to pursue establishing paternity with your child or want to know what the legal options are in your situation, I can assist you. Give Longstreet Law LLC a call at 574-208-5982 or contact me with this online form.