Men in Texas who believe they have fathered a child may have questions. Whether or not there is any doubt in their minds if there is a biological relationship can matter. These are the ways paternity is established and the benefits of doing so.
Establishing paternity
Paternity can sometimes be established voluntarily. This can be done in various ways; if a couple is already married at the time when the child is born, the husband is presumed to be the father. The same happens when an unmarried couple has a child, marries after the birth and signs a form.
A man can voluntarily establish paternity if he tries to marry a woman around the time she conceives or gives birth to the child. If a man believes he is the father of a child, his actions can also assert that he has voluntarily established paternity. In some cases, both parents agree to take a DNA test to prove the father-child relationship.
Paternity can also be involuntary; in that situation, the child’s mother files a paternity suit against the man. This situation requires a DNA test to determine whether the man is the child’s biological father. If the test shows that this is the case, the mother can request child support from the court.
Benefits of paternity
There are different benefits of establishing paternity. The father and child can enjoy a fulfilling, loving relationship. Once paternity is established, it also allows the father to gain parental rights.
Establishing paternity means that the father is financially obligated to support his child. This benefits the mother and the child; in many cases, fathers find this responsibility highly rewarding as well. It also allows the man to leave an inheritance to the child for the future and provide health insurance coverage to the child.
When paternity is established, it makes medical and genetic information available to the child’s doctors. This can help determine whether there are any risks of potential diseases or disorders that can affect the child.