What is a putative father?

A putative father is a term used in New York State law to refer to a man who is not legally recognized as the biological or adoptive father of a child, but who is known to the mother of the child and has a relationship with the mother or the child. Putative fathers are allowed certain rights under New York law, such as filing a lawsuit to establish paternity and obtaining custody and visitation rights. In New York, the law allows mothers to list a putative father on the birth certificate of a child, even if the man is not formally recognized as the legal father. This is done to protect the interests of the child and to ensure that the father is aware of his rights to the child, should he decide to assert them in the future. Putative fathers can also file a lawsuit for paternity in order to become the legal father of a child, even if the mother does not list him on the birth certificate. In these cases, the man must prove that he has a relationship with the child and has accepted a parental role in the care of the child. Once paternity is established, the man will likely share legal responsibility for the child and have access to the child. Putative fathers serve an important role in protecting the rights of all parties involved in a paternity situation. It is important for a putative father to understand his rights and obligations under New York law in order to protect the best interests of the child in question.

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What is a putative father?

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