What if the mother is not sure who the father is?

If the mother is not sure who the father is, the first step in North Carolina would be to attempt to establish paternity. This typically involves the mother being asked to complete an affidavit of parentage or to complete a paternity questionnaire. If the mother is able to identify the potential fathers, they may be asked to submit to genetic testing to determine with scientific certainty which one of them is in fact the biological father. In cases where the mother is not able to narrow down her potential fathers, the North Carolina courts will typically allow a court-ordered genetic testing of the potential fathers. This is done to determine paternity and to assign legal parental rights and responsibilities to the father. The mother may also be able to seek child support from the father regardless of him not being listed on the child’s birth certificate or even if paternity has not been formally established. In order to do this, she is required to submit the results of a genetic test that is at least 99 percent certain in order to establish paternity. It is important to note that fathers have an obligation to financially support their children, even if the father does not have a relationship with the child. In North Carolina, it is illegal for a father to deny the fact that he is the parent of the child, and he may be held accountable for his legal parental duties.

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What if the mother is not sure who the father is?

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