What are the steps involved in establishing paternity?

Establishing paternity in West Virginia requires a few steps. First, any individual involved in the establishment of paternity must provide consent. This may be done through signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form or through a court order. If the alleged father does not consent, paternity may still be established through genetic testing. Second, the alleged father is required to file a petition for paternity and a copy of the Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form, if applicable, with the West Virginia Bureau for Child Support Enforcement. The petition must include the parties’ contact information as well as the mother’s name, address, and Social Security Number. Third, the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement is responsible for making a decision on the petition. If paternity is established, the Bureau may order the alleged father to submit to genetic testing to prove paternity. Fourth, if paternity is established, a court order may be issued declaring the alleged father to be the legal father of the child. This order may, among other things, provide a requirement for the alleged father to pay child support. Finally, after paternity is established, the child may be added to the alleged father’s health insurance, if applicable. Additionally, the alleged father’s name may be included on the child’s birth certificate. Once paternity is established, the alleged father’s parental rights will be established, allowing him to seek custody, visitation, and support rights for the child.

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What are the steps involved in establishing paternity?

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