Chicago Paternity Attorney

You Need A Chicago Paternity Attorney That Will Fight For You

If a couple is not married at the time the mother gives birth to a child and support or visitation becomes an issue, or any time there is a question as to whom the biological father of a child is, a Chicago paternity action may be necessary. A paternity action brought in Illinois can:

• Establish the child’s biological father;
• Establish the child’s legal father (if different from the biological father);
• Establish parental rights where none existed before; or
• Establish a child support obligation.

Whether you are a mother seeking to establish paternity or you are alleged to be the father of a child, the skilled Illinois paternity attorneys from Arami Law are here to assist you in achieving your objectives.

How is Paternity Established in Illinois?

Only a child’s mother, a man who believes he is the biological father of a child, or the child him- or herself can file a petition asking a court to determine paternity. When a court determines paternity, it establishes who is the legal father of the child. The legal father has parental rights and responsibilities including the right to parenting time, the right to petition for custody of the child, and the responsibility to support his child. The legal father may or may not be the same man as the child’s biological father.

A man is a child’s legal father if:

• The man was married, in a civil union, or similar legal union to the child’s mother when the child was born or when the child was conceived;
• The man married, entered a civil union or similar legal union with the child’s mother after the child’s birth and is listed with his written permission as the child’s father on the child’s birth certificate;
• A court order or Illinois Department of Public Aid administrative order establishes that the man is the child’s legal father; or
• The man and the child’s mother have signed a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage (or Paternity) form.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Establish (or Disprove) Paternity?

The law does not require that you hire an attorney to file a petition to determine paternity; however, having experienced legal representation may be in your best interest if:

• You believe you are the biological father but the child’s mother does not agree;
• You believe you are not the biological father or legal father of the child but the child’s mother disagrees;
• You have evidence that you are the child’s biological father but some other man also claims to be the child’s father; or
• You think you might be the child’s father and want to have a definitive ruling on the matter.

Additionally, a determination of paternity can permanently affect your legal rights and responsibilities. A dedicated Chicago paternity lawyer from Arami Law is able to analyze your situation, help you understand the potential legal ramifications of a paternity determination, and guide you every step of the way.

Consult With Our Chicago Paternity Lawyer Today

If a child’s mother accuses you of being the father of a child when in fact you are not, we can help you defend against such an accusation and protect your legal interests. Contact us online for help with your Illinois paternity action.