All About Paternity

What is Paternity?
Paternity is legal fatherhood. If the mother is married when the child is born, her husband is the legal father of the child. If the mother is not married, the child does not have a legal father. Getting paternity gives the child a legal father.

Paternity means fatherhood. When a married woman gives birth, her husband is presumed to be the father of the child. When a child is born outside of marriage, the father of the child does not automatically have the same rights and responsibilities as the father of a child born in marriage.

The law allows the mother, child, and father to legally establish that a man is the father of a child. When this occurs, the child's paternity has been established.

Simply put, paternity means fatherhood. Establishing paternity gives a child a legal father. It also gives the father both rights and obligations related to helping take care of his child.

It is important for the child to know who they are. By knowing both parents, a child gains a sense of identity and belonging.


- Why is getting paternity good for your child?
- Why is getting paternity good for the parents?
- Why is it important to establish paternity?
- How is paternity established?
- what is paternity testing?
- Paternity leave: What are the options for dads?….and more

The establishment of paternity affords your child legal rights and privileges that belong to any child born within a marriage. Among these are rights to inheritance, rights to the father's medical and life insurance benefits, and to social security and veteran's benefits which may be available.

Your child deserves a legal father and the support of both parents.

Take that Step and get Paternity for your child !