If you need legal assistance with a family law case, you have come to the right place. At the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C., our attorneys have the legal resources and insight required to handle these kinds of cases.
With 46 years of combined experience and countless satisfied clients behind us, we can help you, regardless of whether you are a father interested in assuming your paternity rights or you are a mother who wishes to petition for child support.
Speak with a Los Angeles paternity attorney today! Call us at (213) 798-4854 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation. We are here to help you navigate paternity matters and protect your rights.
What is Paternity?
Paternity refers to the legal determination of who the father of a child is. Once paternity is established, the father has certain legal rights, including the right to seek custody or visitation and the obligation to pay child support. Paternity also provides the child with the legal right to inherit from both parents and to access benefits such as medical insurance or social security.
In California, there are several ways that paternity can be established:
Voluntary Declaration of Paternity: This occurs when both parents agree that a man is the biological father of the child. If the father and mother are unmarried, both parties can sign a Declaration of Paternity form at the hospital or later at the local child support office. This form is legally binding once filed.
Paternity Test: If there is a dispute about paternity, a court may order a DNA test to determine the biological father. This test is typically performed on a blood sample or a cheek swab from both the child and the alleged father.
Court Judgment: In some cases, the court will determine paternity after reviewing the facts of the case. This can occur in the context of a custody or child support dispute, where both parents disagree about the father’s identity.
Can You Sue for False Paternity in California?
Yes, a man can sue the child's mother if she lied about him being the father. According to the statute of limitations in California, filing a petition to disestablish paternity is five years. Therefore, a woman has a legal obligation to tell the correct man he is the child's father.
Our firm can help you establish paternity under the following circumstances:
Acknowledged father:The man admits paternity/parents agree on paternity.
Presumed father:The man agrees to give the child his last name on birth certificate; the man was married to the mother when the child was born or at the time the child was conceived; the man welcomed the child into his home.
Alleged father:An unmarried man who impregnates a woman.
Importance of Paternity in Family Law Matters
Once paternity is established, it has significant consequences for both the parents and the child. Establishing paternity is crucial for determining rights and responsibilities, especially when it comes to child support and custody issues. A Los Angeles paternity lawyer can provide the guidance necessary to navigate these legal matters, helping you understand the implications of paternity and ensuring that your rights are protected.
Child Custody and Visitation
Paternity plays a significant role in determining child custody and visitation arrangements. Once paternity is established, either parent can seek custody and visitation rights.
In California, courts are focused on the best interests of the child when determining custody and visitation. This includes factors such as:
The child’s relationship with each parent.
The ability of each parent to provide for the child’s needs.
The health and safety of the child.
The child’s preference, if old enough to express one.
Having paternity established allows the father to have an equal say in the decisions regarding the child’s upbringing and can significantly impact the custody and visitation schedule.
Child Support
Once paternity is confirmed, the father will be legally responsible for providing child support. Child support is calculated based on a variety of factors, including each parent's income, the child's needs, and the amount of time each parent spends with the child.
The California child support guidelines are used to determine a fair and reasonable amount, ensuring that both parents contribute to the financial well-being of the child.
In cases where a father is not paying child support or has fallen behind on payments, a Los Angeles paternity lawyer can help enforce the child support order, ensuring that the child’s financial needs are met. If there are significant changes in circumstances, such as a job loss or a change in custody, a lawyer can help modify the support order to reflect the new realities.
The Role of a Los Angeles Paternity Attorney
Paternity issues often involve complex legal procedures and can become emotionally charged. Whether you are seeking to establish paternity, challenge paternity, or address child support or custody issues, having a skilled paternity attorney in Los Angeles on your side is essential to ensuring that your rights and interests are protected.
A lawyer can assist with:
Navigating Legal Processes: Paternity cases can be complicated, and having an attorney guide you through each step of the legal process will ensure that you take the right steps at the right time.
DNA Testing: If paternity is disputed, a lawyer can help arrange for DNA testing and ensure that the results are used properly in court.
Child Custody and Support: A lawyer will help you navigate the complexities of child custody and support, advocating for a resolution that is in the best interests of the child.
Legal Representation: If your case goes to court, a Los Angeles paternity lawyer will represent you, presenting your case and defending your rights.
Our firm's founder is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. What does this mean to you? It means that when you turn to our firm for assistance, you will be turning to a firm that truly knows family law.
In the event your case must be resolved in court, you can feel at ease in knowing that your rights and interests are being safeguarded by our top-notch divorce lawyers. Once paternity is established, then the issues of legal and physical custody will be determined by the court.
We Are On Your Side!
As with any legal matter, the sooner you take action, the higher your chances are of obtaining the favorable case outcome you desire. We will roll up our sleeves and help you resolve your paternity matter as quickly as possible. The Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC can get you through this, step by step.
Please call our office at (213) 798-4854 to get full protection of your paternal rights from our Los Angeles paternity lawyers.
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“To Kenneth, Fe and the entire team. Thank you so much....”
G.P.
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“Day or night, he was available to offer not just his legal expertise, but practical and honest advice as well. ”
S.M.
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“He and his staff had guided us from the start until the time that we had an interview and finally got an approval on my petition for green card.”
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“This law firm is really very dedicated to a fast result of whatever needs to be done in the right way and indeed at the very right time.”
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“Professional, compassionate, and trustworthy.”
The Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC are the most professional, knowledgeable legal practitioners of family law and personal injury cases. They played an integral role in protecting my children and me, offering not just legal expertise but honest advice. Highly recommend.
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“Her kind and gentle voice are enough to reassure you "this too will pass".”
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“Everyone was very attentive and accommodating. I truly recommend him and his firm.”
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Being in a tough situation, I did not know where to begin to file for divorce when my marriage was dissolving. I didn't know where to file either since I live in Texas and respondent in California. Kenneth Reyes Law Firm was the first listing when I went to Google search. Mr. Reyes was willing to assist me in my long-distance divorce. A member of his staff, Gabriella Castro, was very instrumental in handling our back and forth communications and I was always able to speak to a live person when I needed help. Mr. Reyes and his staff are always caring, compassionate and professional. They explained each process that would happen and each step to be taken so I understood what was happening at all times. I knew payment was going to be an obstacle but the firm made allowances until my house was sold. Mr. Reyes was able to win on my behalf in unexpected challenges, e.g. respondent didn't want to pay me for community property but Mr. Reyes firm took legal action and was able to find and win those funds for me. I would highly recommend the services of Kenneth Reyes Law Firm to anyone. Mr. Reyes and his staff will definitely handle your case with the greatest of care.
