New York City Paternity Attorney
Establishing Paternity in New York City
When a married couple has a child, the legal assumption is that the husband is the father of the child.
When a child is conceived outside of a marriage, the paternity of the child is un-assumed.
If a couple with a child wishes to establish paternity, they can file an Acknowledgement of Paternity. In New York, the state provides couples with the documentation needed to do this in the hospital or at any time after the birth of the child.
Before signing an acknowledgment of paternity or consenting to paternity in court, a parent should consult and, if in court, retain an experienced paternity attorney due to the legal ramifications of establishing paternity. Once paternity is established, the non-custodial parent will be responsible for child support and add-ons and have rights regarding custody and parenting time. These issues are extremely important to both parents. Since it is difficult to vacate or undo a finding of paternity, it is essential that all decisions made concerning paternity be done with open eyes and full knowledge of the law and legal ramifications.
The form will need to be filled out and signed in front of a notary before being filed. However, submitting this form waives a couples’ rights to a DNA test in the future should any doubt of paternity arise. If a couple is serious about establishing paternity for their child, it should seek the help of an experienced New York City paternity lawyer. When paternity is established before a marriage, it can determine child custody rights in the future.
If no acknowledgement of paternity has been filed, either parent may file a petition for paternity with the family court to request that the court grant an order of filiation
Once paternity is established by the court after a petition for paternity is filed, the case automatically converts to an application for child support. This is something to be aware of prior to filing a paternity petition.
Meet Attorney Vivien Stark
Founding Attorney
Vivien Stark is a skilled New York City divorce and family law attorney with over 30 years of experience helping clients navigate complex legal matters. Her practice includes all areas of matrimonial and family law, such as prenuptial and separation agreements, actions for separation, annulment, and both contested and uncontested divorce.
She also handles matters involving child support, custody, visitation, paternity, relocation, orders of protection, and other proceedings in the Family and Supreme Courts of New York City.
Ms. Stark strives to achieve amicable resolutions whenever possible but is fully prepared to advocate aggressively in court when necessary. She proudly represents clients throughout all five boroughs of New York City.
Call Vivien Stark today at (646) 960-8260 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Call an Experienced New York City Paternity Lawyer Today
At the Law Offices of Vivien I. Stark, our experienced New York City divorce attorneys are ready to help you through every step of the divorce process. Whether your case is straightforward or involves complex, high-conflict issues, we have the knowledge and resources to protect your interests and guide you toward a better future. Call us today at (646) 960-8260 or send us an email to schedule a confidential consultation with our dedicated legal team.
How do Couples Establish Paternity?
Couples already married do not need to file an Acknowledgment of Paternity or a petition for paternity with the court. The child is automatically assumed to be of the married couple, and the father will automatically have rights in the event of a divorce. However, if a couple conceived the child, or the mother has a child from another partner, paternity may need to be established.
If the mother was previously married when a child was conceived, it will be assumed that the ex-husband is the father. But if the mother was not married when that child was conceived, who will be considered the father? The answer is not strictly black and white. The state of New York doesn’t necessarily consider the biology of the father.
If the child is from a previous relationship the mother had, but the new husband has a significant bond with the child, the new husband may be considered the father by the state. While a DNA test can tell the court who is biologically the father, there are more factors that go into deciding who has “parentage” than just biology. As you can see, it is important to establish paternity for a child in cases like this, both for the child’s sake and your own.
Unfortunately, there are many cases where a father signs an Acknowledgment of Paternity, only to find out in the future he is not the father. In this situation, the father may want to have the document vacated. He will need to contact a family law attorney to present his case to a judge and stop the Acknowledgement of Paternity.
Testimonials
“Vivien does the work so you get results”
“Family law is a long drawn out ordeal. Vivien cuts through so much of the B.S. She’s often the only one in the room behaving like an adult. You want to get the bickering over and move on with your life. you need Vivien with you, guiding the way and handling the details”
-Jeffrey R.
Read Review Here
“My experience with Vivien and her staff exceeded my expectations.”
“She has 30+ years of experience and is adept at navigating the confusing court system. She responds promptly with professionalism, patience, takes detailed notes so she is always prepared.”
-Trisha K.
Read Review Here
“I highly and enthusiastically recommend Vivien! I am truly so grateful for her.”
“Vivien helped me navigate in an uncertain & unprecedented situation with care, compassion, and with the highest professional quality.”
-Paul A.
Read Review Here
Areas We Serve
Our experienced New York City divorce attorneys proudly serve the following neighborhoods:
Manhattan | Brooklyn | Queens | The Bronx | Staten Island | Upper East Side | Upper West Side | Midtown | Lower Manhattan | Financial District | Tribeca | SoHo | Chelsea | Greenwich Village | East Village | Harlem | Washington Heights | Inwood | Williamsburg | Greenpoint | Bushwick | Park Slope | Dumbo | Downtown Brooklyn | Long Island City | Astoria | Flushing | Forest Hills | Jackson Heights | Riverdale | Fordham | Pelham Bay | St. George | Tottenville | New Dorp | Bay Ridge | Bensonhurst | Coney Island
Why Establish Paternity in New York City?
An Acknowledgement of Paternity or a petition for paternity from the court establishes many factors other than who the father of the child is. It can affect social security and other benefits, inheritance, child support, child custody, and more. It also establishes a clear medical history within the family’s lineage. When spouses get divorced, fathers have what is called “father’s rights,” but these rights are null and void if paternity is not established. Therefore, to determine custody, support, and visitation rights, a paternity ruling is absolutely necessary. A New York City paternity attorney can assist couples in finding and establishing paternity for their children.
Contact a Skilled New York City Paternity Attorney Today
If you are considering filing an Acknowledgement of Paternity or a petition for paternity with the court, or you need to have the file vacated, contact the law office of Vivien I. Stark, P.C. today. Her practice has been exclusively for family and matrimonial law for more than two decades. With over 30 years of experience in New York City, she is committed to the well-being of her clients and has been recognized by Avvo as a top contributor and attorney with superb ratings. She is also an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau.
To discuss your needs, please contact us online or call us at (212) 349-1600 to schedule an in office or telephone consultation.