Surprisingly, about 1/3 of children in the United States are born to unmarried parents. In a world of blended families and complex family situations, it can be easy to understand why a man in love would take responsibility for a child that isn’t his. However, the implications of this bond can last long after the romantic relationship has ended. In many situations, the court favors caring for the child rather than the father. This could mean that a good guy could end up paying for a child that isn’t his.
The best defense is to learn your rights and responsibilities regarding a child that is not yours before it costs you a great deal in the long run. Learn about the situations where a non-biological father would have to pay child support – and what you can do about it if it happens to you. Of course, the best offense is a good defense. Avoid signing anything until you know the paternity of the child. Once you know the paternity, think long and hard about what you want to do. This is a big decision, and it will affect you, the mother, and the children in very serious ways for a very long time. Do not take these decisions lightly, and don’t rush into anything without thinking.
Biological Paternity vs Legal Paternity
You can still be considered the father of a child even if you are not the biological father. There are two types of paternity recognized by the court: biological paternity and legal paternity.
A man is considered the biological father if he actually fathered the child. A man is the legally presumed father under three conditions:
- You are married to the child’s mother at the time of birth or conception.
- You sign the birth certificate.
- You complete an acknowledgment of paternity form.
Remember that legal paternity is a big financial responsibility. You must be very careful before claiming legal paternity if the child is not yours, as it holds you responsible until the child is eighteen-years-old. Remember that if you made a poor decision and you want to retract paternity of a child that is not yours, you only have a small window of time within which to do this. And be prepared because it is a very difficult and expensive process that can take a long time.
Contesting Child Support
It only makes sense that a man who is not a child’s father will have a problem being held responsible for child support. However, if you are considering contesting the child support order, you need to be ready for a lengthy and expensive process.
One of the best ways to combat a child support order for a child that is not yours is to find the biological father and force him to take responsibility. Once you find the biological father and have the DNA proof, you can begin the legal process to transfer parental responsibilities to the real father. In many cases, this can be difficult if the mother doesn’t know who the father is. She also might not want to cooperate if she would prefer to have you pay the child support.
The process of contesting child support can be emotionally draining for everyone involved. The children can get hurt if they feel abandoned or neglected, and the process won’t make the relationship between you and your ex any better. Be prepared for the emotional repercussions that will come from the legal proceedings.
Finally, avoid the problem by entering relationships with women who have children from a previous relationship cautiously. For more details you can visit at https://parentsattorney.com/.
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