On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in paternity on Friday, March 30, 2018.
No matter the situation at hand, the topic of establishing paternity can easily become a sensitive one. Many Kansas mothers and fathers even feel that such testing is unnecessary. However, each state contains paternity laws that ultimately help protect the children involved. As with many cases, however, there can be many gray areas to establishing paternity after welcoming a little one into the world.
DNA testing resource Identigene shares some basic facts on paternity testing, and considers the repercussions if a parent refuses a test. While each situation can contain it own unique challenges, Identigene notes that courts generally follow a straightfoward process when it comes to determining the father of a child. The following people can usually take legal action in these cases: a child’s mother, the man claiming to be the biological father, a pregnant woman, the mother and father of an unborn child and social service agencies addressing neglect. This is not the complete list of those who can place matters into legal hands, but Identigene stresses that paternity tests are typically an enforced order from the court.
While the refusal of a paternity test presents an obstacle in itself, many Kansas parents might express confusion over the testing process as a whole. The Kansas Department for Children and Families offers an accessible brochure on establishing paternity, which can be necessary in many situations. For instance, if a child’s mother was not married at the time of the child’s birth, a test may be the best option. Determining paternity can not only pinpoint the identity of a child’s father; it can also pave the way for support for a child’s many needs. Although the enforcement of a paternity test can depend on the case at hand, the Department mentions that parents have many chances — through hospitals, courts and other resources — to voluntarily identify paternity.
