How to Adjudicate Parentage in Texas

Motion to Adjudicate Parentage – Definition

Biological parents that have not been identified as a legal parent can seek adjudicate parentage in order to get parental rights. Usually when the parents of the child are married, the husband is often assumed to be the father. However, if the parents are not married, the biological father can only be a legal father if paternity is established.

Someone disputing the designation of paternity can file a suit to adjudicate parentage to avoid any duties or responsibilities to a child. On the other hand, you can file a suit to adjudicate parentage if you want to assert your rights as a father. Mothers can also file a similar suit to assert that someone is or is not the father of the child. The child and the state can also file a suit to adjudicate parentage. See also…Divorce Lawyers in Texas.

What Happens After Receiving Adjudicate Parentage

You become the child’s legal parent if you receive adjudicate parentage. Becoming a legal parent means that you can make decisions about the child’s health, education, religion, finances and more. However, there are situation where you may be given less parental rights after receiving adjudicate parentage.

To determine adjudicate parentage there is usually a court ordered paternity testing. However, you may also seek adjudicate parentage if you want legal parental rights for a step child instead of adoption. Adoption is a very long process complicated process, which is why some people prefer to seek adjudicate parentage. Your attorney can help you understand the process involved in receiving adjudicate parentage. Click here to contact an attorney.

How Mothers And Fathers Benefit From Paternity Test Results

A family law attorney will tell you that when a paternity test or DNA test is done and an adjudicate parentage order is given, it helps secure a father’s relationship with their child. It also benefits the mother because it makes her aware of any genetic conditions on the child’s father’s side that. In addition, it gives the mother the right to collect child support payments from the father.

In most situations, you have to pay child support if you are an alleged father. This is sometimes what motivates men to file a suit of parentage to determine whether they are actually paying child support for a child that is biologically theirs. If you have been legally determined to be the father of the child without genetic testing, you can file a motion to have your parental rights terminated to that particular child. See also…Low Cost Divorce Lawyers.

Acknowledgement Of Paternity

If it is clear that you are the father of the child but you are not married to the child’s mother, both you and the mother can sign a legal form called Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP). The completed AOP is then filed to Texas Vital Statistics Unit, and then the genetic father is then considered as the child’s legal father. In a situation where the mother is married, her husband is the child’s presumed father. That means that you as the genetic father cannot use an AOP unless the presumed father agrees to sign a Denial of Paternity (DOP).

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