Paternity

Paternity and the Financial Benefits available to Children
Paternity establishes a legal relationship that carries with it certain financial obligations and benefits. Whether medical coverage, access to benefits, or inheritance rights are at issue, establishing paternity provides the following benefits for children:

• Eligibility to receive child support
• Inheritance of certain assets
• Legal rights involving probate and the settlement of the father's estate
• Coverage under father's health insurance plan
• Access to father's medical records for health purposes
• Eligibility to receive father's Social Security disability or death benefits
• Dependency claims for tax purposes when applying for student financial aid

Asserting the Rights of Fathers
Fathers have certain rights under California state law, especially in regard to visitation and the custody of their children. As a result, once paternity is established, fathers can assert their rights and pursue the following:

• Custody of children
• The right to challenge an adoption
• Establishing visitation rights

Ordering a Paternity Test
Once a motion is brought forward before a judge, the court will order a putative father to submit to a paternity test. Typically, paternity tests involve drawing blood or using a cotton swab to collect a sample from inside the mouth to analyze DNA. The Law Office of Coggins and Johnston will prepare all necessary paperwork required by the court when requesting a paternity test. We are prepared to assist you before, during, and after a paternity test when child support or visitation rights are at stake.