IS ESTABLISHING PATERNITY STILL IMPORTANT?

Is Establishing Paternity still Important?

Establishing paternity is important to ensure a child’s well being. It can also help protect his or her future.

Determining a biological relationship is important for several reasons:

• To establish  legal and social benefits, including social security, veteran’s, and inheritance benefits.
• Provides an accurate medical history for the child, giving the healthcare provider additional insight during diagnosis and in managing the child’s health.
• Strengthens the bond between biological individuals, such as father and child.

If you are pregnant, most states have laws that require an Acknowledgment of Paternity form to be completed at the hospital to legally establish who the father is. After the AOP is signed, couples have a limited amount of time, depending on the state, to request DNA paternity test and amend the AOP. This form is filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics and is a legally binding document. If the time allowed for amending this form expires, the father listed as the AOP and birth certificate could be held legally responsible for the child, even if he later proves he is not the biological father.

Some states require an unmarried couple to have a paternity test to list a father’s name on the birth certificate. If the mother is married to someone other than the father of the child, the husband can be presumed to be the father and listed on the birth certificate as the legal father, unless otherwise disputed by a paternity test. If you need a paternity test to ensure the right man is named as the father, call DNA Centre at 73 Allen Avenue, Ikeja Lagos. Telephone: +2347059999333