Paternity Attorneys In Waukesha, Wisconsin
Establishing paternity of a child is important for asserting both the rights of a father and of a child. If you have been denied custody or physical placement of a child you believe to be yours, a paternity test can establish your fatherhood and secure certain parental rights as a result. Likewise, if the father of your child refuses to pay child support, a paternity test can establish his fatherhood and responsibility to provide child support.
The Rights Of Fathers And Children
At the law office of D'Angelo & Grabow, LLP in Waukesha, our family law attorneys represent clients in paternity actions intended to assert both the rights of fathers and children in Wisconsin. Once the question of paternity is settled, our office can then assist clients in pursuing legal custody, physical placement and child support motions.
We provide free consultations with a dedicated family law professional to explain the legal options available to you. Call to secure an experienced fathers’ rights attorney.
Need Help Understanding Paternity?
Financial Benefits Associated With Paternity
Once paternity is established, certain financial rights come into play for the father and child. Since medical coverage, inheritance and access to benefits require a parental relationship, paternity ensures children will have access to the following:
- Health insurance coverage under father’s plan
- Inheritance rights
- Rights during probate of father’s estate
- Access to father’s medical records
- Father’s Social Security Disability benefits or death benefits
Parental Rights And Paternity
Since fathers have certain rights under Wisconsin state law, paternity allows fathers to pursue the following in regard to their children after paternity is established:
- Physical placement of the child
- Legal custody of the child
- The right to challenge the adoption of their child
Child Support And Paternity
Establishing paternity also allows a court to implement any necessary child support orders as may be appropriate. Even if the biological father is not listed on the birth certificate, once a paternity test establishes their fatherhood, they can be required to pay child support. Our child support lawyers can assist you in court proceedings to order a father to pay child support after fatherhood is established by a paternity test.
Getting The Test – What’s Involved?
A paternity test is typically ordered by the court after a request is brought forward by either the father or the mother of a child, or by the state of Wisconsin if the mother is receiving any type of state aid or public assistance. A blood test or cotton swab sample collected from inside the mouth is used to analyze DNA and genetic material. Our family law attorneys will prepare all necessary paperwork and initiate any hearing required to mandate compliance with the collection of DNA samples.
Contact Our Skilled Paternity Attorneys Today
Whether you’re seeking to establish fatherhood or are involved in a paternity contest, we have the legal experience and procedural knowledge needed to help you obtain a paternity test, establish legal custody and physical placement rights, or collect child support.
To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at our Waukesha office at 262-383-2700 or fill out our online contact form, and we will get in touch with you. We represent many clients in Brookfield and New Berlin as well as throughout southeastern Wisconsin.