Is a home paternity test legally valid?

In Louisiana, a home paternity test is not considered legally valid. While a home test can provide information about a possible genetic relationship between an alleged father and a child, the results—especially those from a single test—are not considered reliable. Therefore, the results of a home paternity test are not admissible in court for legal proceedings. In court proceedings in Louisiana, the father must be legally declared through a court-ordered DNA test. This test, known as a paternity establishment, involves the collection of a sample from the mother, the child, and the alleged father. The samples are then tested by an AABB-accredited laboratory and the results are presented to the court to help determine whether the alleged father is the child’s biological father. Paternity establishment is important in Louisiana as it can have long-reaching legal, financial, and social ramifications. For instance, establishing paternity is essential for the court to make decisions about child custody and child support. Additionally, it is important for a child to know who their biological parents are, so this process can also help provide emotional closure for involved parties.

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Is a home paternity test legally valid?

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