Is a father legally obligated to pay child support if he is not named on the birth certificate?
Yes, a father in California is legally obligated to pay child support even if he is not named on the birth certificate. Paternity law in California states that a father is legally responsible for the financial support of a child if he is not married to the mother at the time of the birth. This responsibility includes paying child support and any other costs associated with the upbringing of the child. The court may require a father to undergo a DNA test if requested by the mother or by the agency responsible for collecting child support payments. If the test shows that he is the biological father, then it is assumed that he is the legal father and can be held responsible for child support payments. The court may also establish paternity through other means, such as the mother admitting to the father’s identity or other forms of legal documentation linking the father to the child. In California, the law does not require a father to be named on the birth certificate to be legally obligated to make child support payments. This means that a father who is not named on the birth certificate can still be legally responsible for the financial support of the child. Because this responsibility is legally binding, it’s important to seek legal advice if you are in a situation that requires determining paternity.
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