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                        |  | Paternity
In Pennsylvania, there is no legal relationship between a father and the child unless both parents have signed an acknowledgement of paternity form or there is an order by the Domestic Relations Section or court establishing the legal paternity of the child. If the child is born to a married party, the husband is assumed to be the legal father of the child, except in special circumstances. The firm of Notaro & Associates, P.C. handles paternity and support cases in Allegheny County and the surrounding area. An acknowledgement of Paternity form can be signed at the time of birth, or by contacting the County Assistance Offices. If either party is unsure as to the true father of the child, paternity should be established prior to signing the acknowledgement. Most Pennsylvania counties use DNA testing to confirm paternity. It is not a highly invasive procedure and may be done through simple procedures such as blood samples or swabbing a person’s mouth to obtain cells. Paternity must be acknowledged or established prior to the court filing a child support order. Once paternity has been established, a child may be eligible for an amended birth certificate showing the father’s name. The child may also be eligible for benefits the father may receive, such as health care, military benefits, and social security. Additionally, the father may be ordered to pay child support until the child reaches 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. If a party is not sure who the father is or how they can locate a person they think is their child’s father, the attorneys at Notaro & Associates, P.C. are able to help. To learn more about establishing paternity in order to obtain child support or to schedule a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION, please contact our office. Notaro & Associates, P.C. | |
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