Orange County Paternity Attorneys
Paternity Suit - Child Custody & Support Establishment
Based in Southern California, the paternity lawyers at Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, LLP, represent men and women throughout Orange County with issues related to establishing paternity.
Paternity suits can arise when there is uncertainty or a disagreement regarding the identity of the child's father. Often, parents will use a paternity action to establish a man's legal obligation to provide child support. A paternity case can be initiated by either the mother or father by filing a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship. The Family Court has jurisdiction (ability) to hear and enter orders and judgments on all issues related to the parent-child relationship. A child support case filed by the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) at Family Support Division (FSD) only deals with the issue of child support.
In some cases, a man will use a paternity action to establish fatherhood for the purpose of obtaining custody and/or visitation rights. Until a child custody and/or visitation order is entered by the court stemming from a paternity action, there is usually no legally recognized mechanism for unmarried persons to enforce custodial rights. A paternity action may also involve a party’s request to change the legal name of the minor child and/or obtain reimbursement for pregnancy costs.
Highly Experienced Orange County Paternity Attorneys
Our highly experienced Orange County paternity attorneys can assist mothers and potential fathers in paternity actions. Whether you are seeking a paternity action to obtain child support or to avoid paying child support for a child you believe may not be yours, or to establish custody and visitation rights, then you want experienced legal representation from a skilled family law attorney. We service all geographical areas of Orange County, California, and litigate in the family law courts in the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange, and the Family Law Center in Santa Ana.
Finally, our attorneys are experienced in setting aside default paternity judgments that were improperly served or entered pursuant to a default judgment. The family code places certain time limits on when such a set-aside motion can be filed.
We look forward to discussing your issues and providing you with the best options in your case. These may include negotiating a settlement, litigating a matter, or joining another party who may be an alleged father. If you elect to take, or are required to take a paternity test, our firm will work with you to protect your legal rights and interests.
Contact an Orange County Paternity Attorney
For further information regarding filing a paternity petition, or to discuss the consequences or ramifications of a paternity suit, we invite you to schedule a free confidential consultation with an experienced Orange County paternity attorney by calling us at 714-667-0045. The parking and confidential consultation are free.
Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, LLP
Orange County Divorce Lawyers
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Phone: 714-667-0045
Toll Free: 877-753-2407
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