Establishing Parentage Is Important For Many Reasons

Often the first step in a family law matter is the establishment of paternity, or, as it is known in Illinois, “parentage.” A DNA test will establish the parentage in cases where paternity or paternal rights are in question. Frequently, parentage comes into play when a mother seeks child support from the potential father who is not her spouse.

At The Law Offices of Van A. Schwab, we help mothers who wish to establish parentage for child support reasons, as well as potential fathers who wish to defend against such actions. Attorney Van A. Schwab has been helping clients in Chicago and the surrounding Illinois areas for more than 40 years.

Fathers Establishing Parentage

Even as unmarried fathers, just as divorced fathers, may be responsible for child support, many potential fathers come to attorney Schwab to help establish parentage in order to gain allocation of parental rights (custody) and parenting time (visitation) to their child. Once parentage is determined, a father’s legal rights and responsibilities are the same whether he is or was married to the mother or not.

An Advocate For Mothers, Fathers And Children In Parentage Cases

Regardless of the reason or the intent, stakes are high when paternity is in question. A confirmed father, even if he and the mother never married, may qualify for parental responsibility and parenting time. His child support responsibilities will continue until the child reaches the age of majority.

A knowledgeable family law attorney is best able to counsel and guide a father or mother through the legal and technical aspects of parentage testing, surrender of a child for adoption, or any other matter related to acknowledgement of fatherhood.

To schedule a consultation regarding DNA paternity testing, surrogacy contracts, sperm donors’ rights, or same-sex partners and parentage, call attorney Van A. Schwab at 312-702-1745 or email us.