East Bay Family Law Attorneys Handling Paternity Cases
Paternity, or legal fatherhood, is a fundamental part of family relationships, and it is essential for it to be correctly established and legally recognized. Having a court establish a child's legal paternity is crucial to both the child's welfare and the father's rights.
At the Law Offices of Mark Lawrence Eisenberg, we represent both fathers and mothers in paternity actions. For 25 years, our law firm has been representing people in Hayward, Oakland, and throughout the East Bay in paternity and other family law concerns. To schedule a consultation about legal paternity or a father's or mother's rights in a paternity case, call (510) 931-5216 or contact us online.
Establishing Accurate Legal Paternity Benefits Children
Paternity gives both children and fathers essential legal rights. When a child's paternity is legally established, the child has the legal right to child support from the father. At the same time, legal paternity is the basis for a father's rights to child custody and visitation.
Although establishing legal paternity can be a relatively straightforward process, anyone involved in a family law matter should retain the services of an experienced lawyer.
Whether you want the courts to legally name the father of your child or you dispute that you are a child's father, we can help you. Attorneys Mark Eisenberg represents both mothers and fathers.
- When a child's parents are unmarried, fathers can choose to acknowledge paternity voluntarily. This should be done formally through the courts.
- If a man does not believe he is the child's father, he can request DNA testing, which the family court will use to determine his parentage.
- A mother seeking child support can also ask the courts for DNA testing of the man she claims is the father of her child in order to establish paternity.
Parenting Rights and Responsibilities
If you are a father, an order of paternity will allow you to seek a parenting order from the family court. This order gives you the right to make decisions about your child's welfare, including about education, health care, and religious upbringing. It also gives you the opportunity to set up parenting time (visitation) arrangements and to seek child custody.
If you would like to take the next step and seek a parenting order, we are happy to assist you. Our goal is to promote your rights while protecting your child's best interests.
Call our office at (510) 931-5216 or contact us online to schedule an appointment. A lawyer or staff member will contact you as soon as possible.
