Is paternity established through a court or via DNA testing?

In West Virginia, paternity is established through either a court or via DNA testing. When it comes to initiating a legal process, either the mother or father of the child can file a petition in family court to establish paternity. The court will review the evidence provided and decide whether paternity is established. Alternatively, an individual may request a DNA test to determine the biological father of the child. The test requires swabbing the inside of the cheek of both the mother and the putative father to collect saliva samples. These samples are then sent to a lab for testing. If the mother and putative father are not available for testing, other family members such as grandparents may be used instead. The lab will then compare the genetic markers in the samples and use a probability statistic to determine the likelihood that the putative father is the biological father of the child. Paternity is an important piece of recognition and legal status for a child, so establishing paternity is key. In West Virginia, although the court is the primary way to establish paternity, the use of DNA testing can provide a more accurate result.

Related FAQs

Can a father be held responsible for a child if there is no court order?
How is child support established for a paternity case?
How long does a paternity suit take to resolve?
Does the age of the father matter when establishing paternity?
Can I disestablish paternity after it has been established?
Does a father have any legal rights if he was not married to the mother at the time of conception?
How do I contest a paternity test result?
What is a default judgment in a paternity case?
What are the legal implications of a paternity test result?
Can a paternity case be reopened after it has been closed?

Is paternity established through a court or via DNA testing?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts