What if the father has doubts about his paternity?

If the father of a child has doubts about whether or not he is the biological parent, he can file a petition for paternity with the Superior Court of California. When the petition is filed, the court may order a DNA test to be performed in order to determine parentage. The court may also order the mother, father, and child to submit to blood testing. If the court determines that the father is not the legal parent, he will not be required to provide financial support for the child or be legally responsible for the child’s well-being. In some cases, the father may be required to pay child support if the court finds it necessary, depending on the circumstances. The court may also determine what type of visitation or contact the father has with the child if the two parties cannot agree on a visitation plan. The court will always consider what is best for the child when making its decision in any paternity case. It is important to note that even if a father is not determined to be the legal parent, he may still be able to receive some rights to visit or contact the child. Fathers should seek legal advice regarding their individual paternity rights and obligations. A paternity lawyer can help the father understand his options and explain what legal steps must be taken to defend his rights and interests.

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