Establishing paternity is a foundational step in protecting both parental rights and a child’s future. Whether you’re a father seeking custody or a mother pursuing child support, knowing a child’s legal parent is critical for determining rights, responsibilities, and benefits. At Setzer Law Firm PLLC, we guide clients in Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Grapevine, and surrounding communities through the legal paternity process with clarity and compassion.
Paternity is about more than just biology—it provides legal recognition of a parent-child relationship. When paternity is established, it allows for:
Even if your name is on the birth certificate you have no legal rights to your child. Without legal paternity, a father has no automatic right to custody or visitation, and a mother may not be able to enforce financial support. Whether you are a parent, guardian, or grandparent, we can help you navigate this important legal process.
If you’re also facing parenting time or support concerns, learn more about Child Custody services.
Paternity in Texas can be established in one of three ways:
At Setzer Law Firm, we assist clients through voluntary acknowledgment and court proceedings, ensuring all legal steps are handled properly. We also defend or challenge paternity in complex or disputed cases.
If your situation involves high conflict, hidden employment, or safety concerns, mediation may not be the best approach. In those cases, our team will advise you on whether a contested divorce or litigation is more appropriate.
Once legal paternity is confirmed, the court can issue important orders regarding:
Our attorneys help clients negotiate reasonable terms or advocate for them in court when needed. We work to ensure that both parents understand their obligations and that the child’s best interests are protected.
If the relationship between parents is cooperative, we may recommend Divorce Mediation to resolve issues more efficiently.
Whether you’re a mother seeking child support, a father pursuing visitation, or a grandparent concerned for a child’s future, Setzer Law Firm PLLC will stand by your side with compassion and strength.
If the alleged father refuses to sign an Acknowledgment of Paternity, you will file a petition for court-ordered paternity testing. The court may order DNA testing and issue rulings on child support and custody once paternity is established.
Yes. Once legal paternity is established, the father has the right to pursue custody (conservatorship) and a possession schedule. The court will decide on parenting time based on the child’s best interests.
The timeframe depends on whether the process is voluntary or contested. Contested cases that require court orders and DNA testing may take several months.
Yes, but only under limited circumstances. If paternity was acknowledged voluntarily or presumed by law, it must be challenged within a specific time period and supported by DNA evidence or proof of fraud. We can evaluate your case and explain your options.
Setzer Law Firm PLLC is a Colleyville-based family law firm serving Tarrant and Denton counties. With over 30 years of combined experience, we handle divorce, custody, property division, alimony, paternity, grandparents’ rights, LGBTQ+ family law, and more.
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