Fathers deserve to be a part of their children’s lives just as much as any other parent. If you are a father and are looking to establish paternity, you may have several questions about how to do so. Please continue reading and reach out to our experienced Bergen County family lawyers to learn more about paternity in New Jersey, why establishing it is so important, and how our firm can help guide you through each step of the process. Here are some of the questions you may have:
Why do I need to establish paternity?
The most important reason why anyone should establish paternity is so they can formally retain custody of a child and have a say in certain key decisions in their child’s life. For example, when a parent has legal custody of their child, it means that they can help decide where a child goes to school, the type of medical treatment a child can receive, and the religion a child practices. Without establishing paternity, this is impossible.
How do I establish paternity in New Jersey?
There are two primary ways in which a parent can establish paternity. The first, and perhaps the most common, is having their name signed on the child’s birth certificate. However, if your name does not appear on your child’s birth certificate, you can still establish paternity by filing a Certificate of Parentage at a later date at your local registrar’s office or county welfare agency. If you are unsure of whether you are the father, you can speak with the New Jersey Paternity Opportunity Office and ask about taking a DNA test to help you establish paternity.
If you have any additional questions or you are having difficulties establishing paternity and you’re facing a matter of child custody, you should strongly consider reaching out to our experienced legal team at once. We are here to help.
Contact our experienced New Jersey firm
We understand how confusing certain legal issues can be, which is why we are dedicated to providing individuals with the compassionate and knowledgeable legal representation they deserve. Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman has helped clients with various difficult legal challenges for over 40 years. We know we have the experience needed to do the same for you. For experienced legal counsel regarding family law, litigation, business law, real estate, and criminal law, you know where to turn–contact Aronsohn, Weiner, Salerno & Kaufman today to schedule a consultation.