What is a putative father?

A putative father is someone who is believed to be the father of a child, but there is not enough evidence to prove it legally. In West Virginia, a putative father is someone who, despite not having a legal relationship with a child, has tried to assume the role of a father through financial or emotional support. Under the state’s paternity laws, the child has the right to be supported by both parents, regardless of the marital status of the parents. A putative father has the ability to start a legal action in order to prove their paternity, which is the legal process of establishing a parent-child relationship. This can involve collecting evidence such as DNA tests, birth certificates, and affidavits from witnesses. The process may also involve court proceedings to establish paternity. If a man is determined to be the putative father, he will be added to the child’s birth certificate as the father. This will grant the father legal rights to the child, such as visitation rights and the ability to make decisions about the child’s upbringing. The putative father will also be obligated to pay child support in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the state of West Virginia.

Related FAQs

How is child support established for a paternity case?
What if the mother denies paternity?
What is the purpose of a paternity test?
What are the rights of a father in a paternity case?
What is the difference between legal and genetic paternity?
What is the statute of limitations for challenging paternity?
Are blood tests used to establish paternity?
Is a home paternity test legally valid?
Can paternity be established after the father has passed away?
Can a paternity case be reopened after it has been closed?

What is a putative father?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts