| The question of who fathered a child may seem like | | | | support just because she believes the man is the |
| fodder for daytime talk shows and soap operas. But | | | | father. The Georgia Office of Child Support Services |
| questions about a child’s paternity occur often. | | | | offers DNA testing. The office does not locate fathers |
| Some of the reasons that the courts may deal with | | | | who cannot be found if there is not a determination of |
| paternity issues include: | | | | paternity already. The mother will be responsible for |
| - The child’s mother decides she wants to collect | | | | finding the father and reporting him After the DNA |
| child support from the biological father. This could | | | | test, if it is determined that the man is the father or |
| happen after another man believed he was the | | | | cannot be excluded as the father, the mother can file |
| father. Both men may be tested to see who the | | | | a case for support with the state’s child support |
| father is. | | | | office. |
| - The father wants to prove the child is his so that he | | | | Tips for mothers questioning their child’s paternity: |
| can visit or obtain custody. | | | | 1. If you are pregnant, consult an attorney as soon as |
| - The parents are divorcing and the father wants to | | | | possible if the father is not willing to acknowledge |
| make sure he is the father or the child before he is | | | | paternity. You need to protect the rights of your child |
| ordered to pay child support. | | | | now. |
| Any man who questions whether or not he is the | | | | 2. Don’t assume that one man is the father if you |
| actual father of a child should find out as soon as | | | | have had multiple partners. If you allow the wrong man |
| possible. In Georgia courts, you cannot go back and | | | | to claim paternity, it is difficult to come back later and |
| order a paternity test after you have started paying | | | | correct the mistake. |
| child support for children that were born when you | | | | Tips for fathers in paternity cases: |
| were married to their mother. In other words, if you | | | | 1. Don’t assume you are the father just because |
| have any doubts at all, don’t just ignore the | | | | you have physical similarities. Take a DNA test. |
| question because you can’t ask it later. | | | | 2. Consult a Georgia family law attorney before signing |
| The situation is more challenging if the parents were | | | | any legal documents, even if they are from the state. |
| never married. A mother cannot go and request child | | | | |