Paternity Attorneys in Denton, Collin, & Tarrant Counties
Assisting Clients With Paternity Matters in Texas
Whether you are a parent facing a custody battle over your children or have a paternity dispute relating to child support, our team can be your legal advocate. At Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, we have more than 110 years of combined experience that we will put to work for you. We offer financing to help with retainer fees. Click here to see your options.
Call Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers today at (940) 293-2313 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our paternity attorney in Denton, Collin, & Tarrant Counties.
How to Determine Paternity in Texas
The first step to protecting your rights and enforcing responsibilities as a father is to establish that the child is actually yours. As all parents are legally responsible for the well-being of their children, once paternity has been established, child support may be required and enforced.
There are many ways to determine paternity, but the following three methods are typically the most common:
- Legally, the man married to a woman at the time of childbirth is considered to be the father of that child
- An unwed man can voluntarily proclaim paternity of the child
- The mother or government can file a petition to have paternity tested
We have helped families just like yours through all types of divorce and family law-related matters. Find out how one of our Board-Certified Family Law Specialists can help you.
Establishing Paternity in Texas
In Texas, if you want to establish paternity through a court-ordered DNA test, you typically need to follow a legal process. Here are the general steps involved:
- Determine Eligibility: Before you file a paternity petition, you need to make sure you are eligible to do so. In Texas, this generally means you are the mother, alleged father, or a governmental agency, such as the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
- Gather Information: You will need to gather information about the child, the alleged father, and any relevant documents, such as birth certificates and any existing court orders.
- File a Paternity Petition: To initiate the legal process, you will need to file a paternity petition with the appropriate court. In Texas, this is usually done in a family law or child support court. The petition should include information about the child, the alleged father, and your reasons for seeking paternity testing. You can obtain the necessary forms from the court or the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
- Serve Notice: Once the petition is filed, the court will typically require you to serve notice to the alleged father. This involves delivering copies of the petition and a summons, which informs the alleged father about the legal action and the need for a DNA test. Service can be done by a process server or another approved method, and you will need to provide proof of service to the court.
- Response from Alleged Father: The alleged father will have the opportunity to respond to the paternity petition. They can either admit or deny paternity. If they admit paternity, the court may issue an order based on their admission. If they deny paternity, the case will proceed to the next step.
- Court Hearing: If paternity is disputed, the court will schedule a hearing. At the hearing, both parties can present their evidence and arguments. The court may order genetic testing at this point.
- Genetic Testing: If ordered by the court, genetic testing will be conducted. The alleged father, mother, and child will be required to provide DNA samples. The results of the test will be used to determine paternity.
- Paternity Order: If the genetic test confirms paternity, the court will issue a paternity order, which legally establishes the alleged father as the child's legal parent. This order can also address child support, custody, and visitation issues.
- Compliance and Enforcement: Both parties are obligated to comply with the court order. If the alleged father fails to comply, child support enforcement measures may be taken.
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5 out of 5. Jackie and the team were patient and understanding throughout the entire process. Jackie was always available for questions and concerns. She is very knowledgeable and offers great guidance.- Virginia L.
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I worked with Malorie Crosley for about a year on my case. The process, albeit long, was always clearly spelled out for me. I was also impressed with the timely responses of my inquiries. The process was very unfamiliar to me, and Kim and Malorie were always very helpful to answer all of my questions and keep me comfortable throughout the whole process. They provided sound advice and were able to navigate the complex process very efficiently. I will definitely use their services again.- Christian
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Truly one of the most professional & knowledgeable attorneys I have had the pleasure of working with.- Jay Marks
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Ashley Covert and Kelly recently helped my 88-year-old family member through a divorce. They are incredibly kind, thorough, and knowledgable attorneys. I highly recommend Ashley, Kelly and their team at Coker, Robb & Cannon. They made a difficult situation easy and stress-free.- Angie
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I just completed the Texas simple divorce program, and I have to say divorce has been the worst and most difficult time of my life, Lauren Cardamone made all the difference. I was treated with such kindness, respect, care, and attention. I would highly recommend this program, and Lauren to anyone facing a divorce.- Rafaela R.
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I hired Jackie Cannon for my divorce and I’m so so thankful to God for sending her my way. I met with so many lawyers regarding my divorce case and child custody but nobody ever explained like Jackie did. She was patient, explained everything in detail, took her time with me always and never rushed me. Her paralegal Holly Keen, I would say the best too because every time I had a question I would email holly and Jackie and I would get a response from them both right away. I would definitely recommend Jackie, Holly and Lauren.- Marium
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Having Malorie by my side gave me the confidence and assurance I desperately needed during the most difficult and chaotic time in my life. She, and her team, were always available to thoroughly answer my constant questions, and in language I could understand. They always made me felt “seen” during the numerous times situations turned emotional, while at the same time, reassured by their calming expertise on a path forward. Time after time, that expertise was challenged, and without fail, was found to be correct. They proved to me that I could trust them to always tell me the correct, and up-to-date information on matters they are experts in, and just as importantly, when to seek different counsel on matters they are not. I truly cannot express how much I appreciate all Malorie and her team did for me. So, if you find yourself in a situation where you need someone to be your champion, please call them and see for yourself. I am so glad I did.- Russ
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Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers were very good at keeping me informed and helpful through the whole process. Highly recommend them for their ability and understanding, helping me through everything.- Michael Mayo
The Benefits of Establishing Paternity
Establishing paternity in Texas offers various benefits for both the child and the parents involved. Here is a list of some of the key advantages:
- Legal Rights and Responsibilities:
- Child's Rights: Once paternity is established, the child gains access to certain legal rights and benefits, including inheritance rights, the right to receive financial support and access to medical and insurance benefits from both parents.
- Parental Rights: The father gains legal rights to custody, visitation, and participation in decisions regarding the child's upbringing.
- Financial Support:
- Child Support: Paternity establishment is a crucial step in ensuring that the child receives financial support from both parents. The non-custodial parent is typically required to provide child support.
- Healthcare Benefits:
- Medical Insurance: The child may become eligible for medical insurance benefits through either or both parents' policies, helping cover medical expenses.
- Access to Medical History: Establishing paternity allows the child to access their complete medical history, which can be important for medical treatments and understanding potential hereditary health issues.
- Inheritance Rights:
- Inheritance Laws: A legally recognized child has the right to inherit from both parents, including property and assets, under Texas inheritance laws.
- Citizenship and Immigration Benefits:
- U.S. Citizenship: If the father is a U.S. citizen, establishing paternity may be a prerequisite for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.
- Immigration Benefits: Paternity establishment may be necessary for immigration purposes, such as sponsoring the child for a visa or residency.
- Government Assistance Benefits:
- Social Security Benefits: In the event of the father's disability or death, the child may be eligible for Social Security benefits based on the father's work history.
- Veterans Benefits: If the father is a veteran, the child may be eligible for certain veterans' benefits.
- Legal Documentation:
- Birth Certificate Amendment: The child's birth certificate can be updated to include the father's name, providing official proof of paternity.
- Court Orders: Paternity establishment often leads to court orders that detail child support, custody, and visitation arrangements, providing a legal framework for co-parenting.
- Protection Against Child Abandonment:
- Legal Obligation: Establishing paternity can hold the father legally responsible for the child's well-being, reducing the risk of child abandonment.
- Parental Access and Involvement:
- Custody and Visitation: Paternity establishment helps determine custody and visitation arrangements, ensuring that both parents have the opportunity to be involved in the child's life.
- Emotional and Psychological Benefits:
- Emotional Well-being: Knowing both parents and having their support can contribute to a child's emotional and psychological well-being, providing a sense of identity and belonging.
- Relationship Building: It can help build and strengthen the child's relationship with both parents, which is often beneficial for their emotional development.
Why Choose Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers?
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Video Consultations & Meetings Available
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Voted Best Family Law Firm & Best Law Firm in Denton County
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Working Hard to Achieve the Best Results Possible
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Deeply Committed to Listening & Helping You
Fight for Custody of Your Children
The law has come a long way when it comes to considering the rights of both parents, where it once highly favored the mother. As a father, you do have rights to your children that should be protected and upheld when determining custody arrangements. Presently, a judge’s primary concern is the best interests of the child. Typically, in order to deny a father’s custody rights, a mother would have to prove that his behavior, lifestyle, or living situation threatens the emotional, financial, or physical well-being of his child.
Contact Our Paternity Attorney in Denton, Collin, & Tarrant Counties Today
Take the first step toward establishing your rights and give our board-certified Denton, Collin, and Tarrant County family law attorneys a call. We will sit down with you to discuss your options in an initial consultation and help you determine your rights and take legal action to enforce them.
Contact us today. Our paternity lawyers in Denton, Collin, & Tarrant Counties will promptly return all phone calls and offer video consultations for your convenience. Call (940) 293-2313!
