What is a paternity suit?

A paternity suit is a legal action taken to establish the legal relationship between a father and a child. A paternity action is used to determine the biological and legal father of a child and is typically initiated by an unmarried mother or the father. In West Virginia, either parent may file a paternity action and the court will then order a paternity test, which is a medical procedure wherein DNA from both the mother and the alleged father are tested to determine if the two are the biological parents of the child. If it is determined that the alleged father is indeed the biological father, a court-ordered child support order will be issued and the father will be granted legal rights to visit or have custody of the child. The father is also responsible for paying child support in order to provide for the child’s needs. A paternity suit can be used to establish legal fatherhood when a child is born out of wedlock or when the mother and father are not married at the time the child is born. It is important to note that in West Virginia, establishing paternity is vital for the child to have the same rights and privileges as those of a child born to a married couple.

Related FAQs

Is there any recourse if the father refuses to take a paternity test?
What if the father's identity is unknown?
What is the process for establishing legal paternity?
What is a default judgment in a paternity case?
Can a man be held responsible for child support if paternity is not established?
What happens if the father has been paying child support and then paternity is later established?
Can a paternity case be reopened after it has been closed?
What is the purpose of a paternity test?
How do I collect child support if the father is not legally established?
What legal rights does a father have for a child born out of wedlock?

What is a paternity suit?

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