Bringing a baby into the world should be one of the most joyous times of your life. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case when there are paternity questions. When a child is born to unwed parents, typically, the mother automatically gets sole custody and full parental rights. Establishing that you are the father of the child can be challenging. The same may be true in situations involving married couples and potential questions of infidelity.
At The Law Office of Amy L. Gervich, our child custody team understands that when the well-being of your child is at stake, you want to find quick and effective solutions to your paternity questions. The following outlines how long it takes in Missouri to establish paternity and restore your legal rights to your child.
How to Establish Paternity in Missouri
Unwed mothers in Missouri automatically have full physical and legal custody of a child. Fathers wishing to be a part of their child’s life and secure their legal rights must establish paternity. That can happen in different ways, depending on the circumstances of your situation.
First, you can establish paternity by signing an Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity. This legal document can be completed at the hospital when a baby is born. Both parents complete the paperwork, and once they’ve done so, the man is the child’s legal father, and his name gets added to the child’s birth certificate. This process can be a couple’s best option for acknowledging paternity when the unwed parents agree.
If the paperwork is not completed immediately after the child is born, the parents can still complete the necessary documentation and submit it soon after the birth. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has copies of the Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity and can help.
When there are issues between unwed parents or a married couple suspects infidelity and wants to confirm paternity, you need to complete genetic testing establishing paternity before obtaining a court order that names the man as the father of the child.
How Long Can It Take to Establish Paternity?
The length of time it can take you to establish paternity depends on the unique factors of your situation. If both parents agree that the man is the father and wishes to pursue the Affidavit Acknowledging Paternity route, the process can be completed quickly. It may only take a few days or weeks.
If establishing paternity is challenging and you need genetic testing and the court’s involvement, expect to resolve your situation in weeks up to several months. While collecting and submitting a DNA sample for testing is quick and painless, processing the DNA, receiving a result, and allowing your case to move through the legal system takes time.
It is always in your best interest to seek the help and resources of an experienced family law and child custody attorney to protect your rights and help you manage the process of establishing paternity smoothly.
A Child Custody Attorney Can Help
Fight for your parental rights by securing the help of a dedicated Missouri child custody lawyer. The legal team at The Law Office of Amy L. Gervich can help. Contact our office today to learn more and set up an initial consultation.
