If you are not married and have a child, in order to formally establish your parental rights and define parental obligations for both parties, you will need to file a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship with the court. If you question the paternity of the child, you have the right to request paternity testing through the filing of the Petition if you are initiating the action, or through the Response if you have been served with an action.
Through a paternity action, the court can establish custody orders as well as child support orders.
Your family has a unique dynamic, and there are many avenues that you can take to accommodate your family’s needs. You and the other parent may want to avoid a courtroom – Cooper Hughes can assist you establish custodial orders that have been agreed upon with the other parent. You and the other parent may have disagreements in various areas of your case – Cooper Hughes can assist you in negotiating and, if necessary, litigating your case.
