Establishing paternity is important for both Michigan fathers and their children. By establishing paternity, children who are born to unmarried parents have the same rights and benefits as those born to married parents. Not only do they get to exercise the right to have a relationship with both parents, but children also get the benefit of financial support from both parents.
There are two ways paternity is established in Michigan. If the parents are married when the child is conceived or born, the husband is considered to be the child’s legal father. If the parents are not married at the time the child is conceived or born, the unmarried parents can voluntarily establish paternity, meaning the parents agree that the man is the child’s father. Unmarried parents can also ask the court to assist with establishing paternity. In these cases, a DNA test may be used to determine if the man is related to the child.
Unmarried parents will also need to get an affidavit form to establish paternity. If this is being done after the child is already born, parents can get the form at a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office or at a county registrar’s office. Additionally, they can also get the Affidavit of Parentage form online.
If an unmarried father wants to establish a relationship with his child, he may have to go through the process of establishing paternity. If the mother of the child attempts to prevent the father from establishing a relationship with the child, the father may request the court to start the process. In many cases, Oakland county paternity lawyers may walk the father through the process of establishing paternity. The attorneys may also assist with setting up a visitation order.