Can a father demand a DNA test to prove paternity?

In California, a father can demand a DNA test to prove paternity. This is an important legal issue because it establishes the rights and responsibilities of the father. Without a proven paternity, a father would not be legally responsible for financial or emotional support of a child. In California, a paternity action is usually taken when a parent is trying to establish the paternity of a child. An action may be taken to establish a father-child relationship for the purposes of child support or for the purpose of obtaining parental rights, such as visitation rights. The court will often order a DNA test to be conducted to determine if the person is the biological father of the child. In some cases, both the mother and the father may agree to the paternity of the child and will voluntarily take a paternity test. Other times, either the mother or the father can request that a paternity test be done in court. In order for the court to order a paternity test, the parent must show sufficient evidence that the other parent may be the father of the child. It is important to note that even if paternity is established, it does not automatically give the father legal rights to the child. He must take further action by filing for a court order in order to gain those rights. It is also important to note that the process of establishing paternity can be expensive and time consuming.

Related FAQs

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