Hermosa Beach Paternity Lawyer

Paternity Attorney in Hermosa Beach, CA

When parents are not legally married when the child is born or when the pregnancy begins, the father of that child does not hold any legal rights or duties as a parent. In these cases, the father, the mother, or a party working on behalf of the child can seek to obtain a judgment of paternity to establish the father’s rights and duties to a parent-child relationship.  If you are looking to establish paternity, the help of a Hermosa Beach paternity lawyer will play a crucial role.

Rombro & Manley LLP: Protecting Your Parental Rights

At Rombro & Manley LLP, we understand the complexities of paternity matters. Our team of attorneys has over 40 years of dedicated experience in family law and is ready to guide you through the legal process for establishing paternity. We are deeply committed to protecting your rights, as well as the best interests of any children involved. Paternity law can be intricate, but we are here to help you navigate it successfully.

Legal Paternity in Hermosa Beach

Every year, around 1,400,000 unmarried women give birth to children. In these situations, even when the child’s parents are still in a relationship with one another, paternity will need to be established. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we can guide you through the entire process of legal paternity in Hermosa Beach, including the following steps:

• Filing the petition. To initiate the official process, you must file a petition with the court. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we have extensive experience working within the Los Angeles County family court system and understand the inner workings of the Torrance Courthouse, located on Maple Avenue in Torrance, where your case may be heard and handled.
• Genetic testing. There are several ways to establish paternity, but the most commonly used method is genetic testing. This will involve collecting the DNA samples of both the mother and child and of the alleged father. The results can provide your case with strong and convincing evidence when it comes to the biological parentage of a child.
• Biology is not the only way to establish paternity. A man who holds himself out as the father of a child and welcomes the child into his home may be declared the father under California law under certain parameters.
• Declaration of paternity. In cases where parents can agree on paternity, they can sign a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity (VDP) together. This document will acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of the father and work to prevent any future complications regarding paternity. Still, a judgment of paternity is advisable to obtain a custody arrangement and, where appropriate, child support.
• Court hearings. If a dispute arises regarding a child’s paternity, the case will likely proceed to court. Your attorney can represent your interests as a parent, present convincing evidence–such as the results of genetic testing–and argue for, or challenge, any claimed paternity.
• Establishing rights and duties. Once paternity rights have been established, the parents involved, if not in a relationship with one another, will need to work out any pertaining child custody issues, schedules for visitation, or arrangements regarding child support. IF the parents cannot agree, the family court judge will make the decision. The team at Rombro & Manley LLP can also help guide you in these situations.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity

For both the mother and the alleged father, establishing paternity can have several benefits. These benefits can include:

• Financial assistance. As a mother, it can be helpful to seek paternity action to gain the financial assistance that can come from legal child support orders. If you can establish paternity, you may be able to seek support for the needs of the child, such as their shelter, food, clothing, and possible education or daycare costs. The costs of daycare can vary between $10,000 and $20,000 in California, and child support is available to help.
• Medical history records. Establishing paternity can offer you access to the medical records of your child’s father, giving you information regarding possible genetic conditions. Without the full knowledge of a father’s medical record, a child could be threatened by the possibility of unknown genetic diseases or fatal allergies.
• Custody rights. As a father, you likely want to seek paternity rights so that you can spend time with your child and be an active participant in their lives. At Rombro & Manley LLP, we are here to help you establish paternity so that you can, in turn, work to obtain some form of custody.

FAQs About Hermosa Beach, CA Paternity Laws

Are Paternity Issues Ever Part of a Divorce?

Yes, in some divorce cases, disputes regarding the paternity of minor children can arise. These are extremely complicated situations, and it is vital that you hire a paternity lawyer who can help you navigate both the divorce process and the process of ensuring that you retain your paternal rights to your children.

What are the Duties of a Father?

Once paternity has been established, it is important to be aware of what your duties or responsibilities as the father will be. You may be required to help pay for the child’s medical or financial needs through court-ordered child support payments. Nearly 23% of female-led households receive child support payments every year.

Is There a Timeline for Establishing Paternity in California?

In California, there is no established time limit for when a father can seek paternity. In fact, the paternity of a child can be established at any point in that child’s lifetime. However, it is important to keep in mind that the sooner you address a paternity issue, the sooner all parties involved can work together to provide a safe and loving home environment for the child.

Who Can Bring a Paternity Case Forward in California?

In California, not everyone is allowed to bring a paternity case forward simply because they wish to do so. To file a paternity case in court, you must have what is known as a “standing” in the case itself. This means that you must either be a child of a certain age, the mother of the child, a father claiming paternity, an adoption agency, or an agency looking into possible neglect or abuse allegations.

Hire a Hermosa Beach Paternity Lawyer Today

Hire a Paternity Lawyer Serving Hermosa Beach Today At Rombro & Manley LLP, we recognize the importance of establishing paternity for both the parents involved and the children. Our Hermosa Beach paternity attorneys are here to provide you with the compassionate and strategic representation you deserve. You can trust that they are committed to you and the outcome you most hope for. Whatever your case involves, we can act as your loyal advocates. Contact our offices to hire a paternity lawyer today.