Atlanta Paternity Lawyer
Do you need help with a paternity case in Atlanta, Georgia? Contact Crystal Wright Law, LLC for a free consultation 24/7 at 404-594-2143. Our award-winning Atlanta paternity attorney can represent your interests throughout the entire legal process and help you work toward the resolution you’re looking for.
Our family law firm has over a decade of experience helping Georgia families navigate sensitive matters. We understand the emotional and financial challenges that often come with paternity cases, and we make our clients’ goals our top priority from the start.
Contact our Atlanta law offices today to get started and learn more about your legal rights in these circumstances.
Why Should I Hire Crystal Wright Law, LLC for My Paternity Case in Atlanta?
In Atlanta, GA, paternity cases touch on some of the most personal aspects of family life. At Crystal Wright Law, LLC, we know that your relationship with your child and your financial stability may be at stake. That is why our lawyer treats every paternity case with the care and attention it deserves.
When you choose our Atlanta family lawyer, you benefit from:
- Decade of experience: Our attorney has spent over ten years representing families across Georgia.
- Personalized strategies: We will tailor our approach to meet your specific needs and goals.
- Strong advocacy: Whether through negotiations or in court, we’ll fight to protect your rights.
- Comprehensive guidance: From the initial petition to the final court order, we will walk with you every step of the way.
Family law issues are rarely easy, but you do not have to face them by yourself. Our family law firm is here to provide both practical advice and aggressive representation. Contact our Atlanta paternity lawyer today for a free consultation.
Paternity Law in Georgia
Georgia law allows paternity to be established in several different ways. Sometimes this happens automatically, while legal action must be taken in other cases.
A child born to married parents is presumed to be the husband’s child. This presumption can be challenged, but it is generally strong unless proven otherwise through legal proceedings or during a divorce.
What if the Parents Are Not Married at the Child’s Birth?
When parents are not married at the time of the child’s birth, paternity does not automatically exist.
In that situation, paternity can be established through:
- Voluntary acknowledgment: Both parents can sign an acknowledgment of paternity form, usually at the hospital or later through the State Office of Vital Records.
- Court order: If paternity is disputed, the court may require genetic testing and issue an order establishing legal fatherhood.
Once paternity is legally established, the father gains certain rights and responsibilities, including the duty to provide financial support and the ability to seek custody or visitation.
The Importance of Establishing Paternity in Atlanta, GA
Establishing paternity is important for both parents and children. It creates a legal relationship that affects many aspects of life.
For children, legal paternity can provide:
- Access to financial support from both parents
- Eligibility for health insurance or other benefits
- Inheritance rights under Georgia law
- A stronger connection to their family identity
For mothers, establishing paternity can help ensure the father shares in financial responsibility. For fathers, it can secure legal rights to be part of the child’s life, including custody or visitation.
Common Disputes in Paternity Cases
Not all paternity cases are straightforward; sometimes, disagreements often arise that must be resolved in court.
Some of the most common disputes include:
- A father questioning whether he is the child’s biological parent
- A mother seeking child support from a father who denies paternity
- A father seeking custody or visitation when the mother disputes his legal rights
- Allegations of fraud or misrepresentation surrounding paternity acknowledgments
Since the outcome of a paternity proceeding has long-lasting consequences, it is essential to have an attorney who understands both the law and the science behind DNA testing. Courts typically rely on genetic testing when paternity is disputed, but a lawyer can help ensure the process is handled fairly and that results are used properly in court.
Paternity and Child Support in Georgia
One of the most common reasons paternity cases are filed is to establish financial support for a child. Once paternity is legally confirmed, the father becomes responsible for contributing to the child’s upbringing.
Georgia uses state guidelines to calculate child support. These guidelines consider both parents’ incomes, the number of children, health insurance costs, and other relevant factors. The court can also deviate from the guidelines if special circumstances exist.
Establishing paternity ensures that both parents share the financial responsibility of raising the child, which is seen as being in the best interests of the child.
Paternity and Custody or Visitation Rights
Once paternity has been legally established, the father can pursue child custody or visitation rights. Georgia law favors the child’s best interests above all else when deciding custody arrangements.
This means the court will look at factors such as:
- The emotional bond between the child and each parent
- The ability of each parent to provide stability
- The financial and physical ability of each parent to care for the child
- Any history of domestic violence
Paternity gives fathers the legal standing to request joint or primary custody. It also allows them to enforce visitation rights if custody is awarded to the other parent. Without a legal finding of paternity, fathers cannot exercise these rights.
Voluntary vs. Court-Ordered Paternity
In some cases, both parents agree about the identity of the father. They may sign a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity at the hospital when the child is born or later through the proper state office. This acknowledgment is legally binding once it is filed.
In other cases, one parent may dispute paternity. Here, the court will likely order genetic testing. These tests are highly accurate and usually determine parentage with a probability of 99% or higher. If the test confirms paternity, the court will issue an order establishing the father as the legal parent.
Voluntary acknowledgment is often quicker and less stressful, but it is important to ensure that both parents fully understand the legal consequences before signing. An experienced family lawyer can explain those consequences and ensure that the process is handled correctly.
Challenging Paternity
There are times when paternity may need to be challenged. For example, this might happen if a man is mistakenly listed as the father on a birth certificate or if new evidence suggests that someone else is the biological parent.
Challenging paternity is not always simple. Georgia law places strict limits on when and how these challenges can be made. For example, a petition to rescind a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity must generally be filed within 60 days of signing. After that time, it may only be contested if fraud, duress, or material mistake can be proven.
Courts take these matters seriously because the outcome directly impacts the child’s welfare. Having an attorney who understands the legal standards and deadlines is critical to protecting your rights.
Collateral Issues in Paternity Cases
Paternity cases often raise other important issues that must be addressed.
These can include:
- Child support enforcement: Once paternity is established, the father may face enforcement actions if he does not comply with child support obligations.
- Name changes: Parents may request to change the child’s surname as part of the paternity case.
- Inheritance rights: Establishing paternity can allow a child to inherit from the father under Georgia law.
These issues demonstrate why paternity is not just a question of biology; rather, it is a legal matter with wide-reaching consequences.
How a Family Lawyer Can Help With Your Paternity Case in Atlanta, Georgia
Paternity cases are rarely simple. The outcome can affect many areas of your life, including your finances and your relationship with your child. That is why having a dedicated lawyer on your side is so important.
When you hire an experienced family lawyer, they can:
- File or respond to a petition to establish paternity
- Help arrange DNA testing where required
- Represent you in mediation and all court appearances
- Explain how paternity affects custody and other issues as pertinent
- Protect you against false claims or unfair demands
- Advocate for your child’s best interests at all times
No matter your role in the case, your lawyer will be there to represent your rights and interests with the full force of the law behind them.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Paternity Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you are involved in a paternity case in Atlanta, Georgia, it is important to act quickly. Whether you are seeking to establish paternity or enforce your rights as a parent, Crystal Wright Law, LLC is ready to help. If you hire us, we will work tirelessly to protect both your rights and your child’s best interests.
Contact our Atlanta paternity lawyer today for a free case review. We’re ready to get started as soon as you are.
