Paternity Lawyer in The Woodlands, TX

Helping Clients Establish or Challenge Paternity of a Child

Being a parent is an honor and a joy. The role also comes with significant responsibilities and financial obligations. Things can get messy when children are concerned, and matters can become even more complex when paternity is in question. Our paternity lawyers help parents legally establish the paternity of a child and assist fathers in contesting the paternity of a child.
We also help coordinate child visitation rights when two people cannot agree on a schedule, among other duties, including:

Filing paternity actions
Upholding parental rights during divorce
Helping with proper paternity order modifications
Ensuring fairness in timesharing and parental responsibilities
Ensuring fairness in child support determinations
Relieving fathers of child support obligations when paternity is confirmed

If you want to establish paternity to seek child custody, get the child’s biological father to pay child support, or for help with other legal proceedings, we can help. Our family law attorneys assist parents with these and many other paternity-related needs. Call 713-766-6001 to schedule a free consultation with the helpful, caring attorneys at Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law.

What is Paternity?

Paternity is a legal term for fatherhood. It is a label and an identity for dads. Establishing paternity is essential so that a child knows who their father is. Married parents don’t require paternity confirmation, as the dad is presumed to be the biological father. If parents aren’t married at the time of conception, establishing paternity ensures the mother and child have certain rights, including child support.
Texas law requires both parents to support their children, which is why paternity is essential. Without paternity confirmation, a child could be denied financial support and other significant benefits, including inheritance, life, and health insurance.
Paternity also affords a father his rights, such as child custody. A family law attorney in The Woodlands can help you confirm the paternity of a child or challenge it. Call our law firm to learn more about bringing a paternity suit.

How is Paternity Established?

Texas law does not recognize the biological father as a legal parent when a baby is born to unmarried parents. The mother of the child assumes legal responsibility. A birth father does not have legal rights as a parent, and paternity must be established.
There are three ways to determine paternity:

Marriage: The husband is acknowledged as the legal father when a couple is married
Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP): An unmarried couple can sign a legal form known as an AOP if both agree that the biological father is the dad
Court order: Both mother and father who aren’t married can file a court order to name the legal father

Our attorneys can help you understand your paternity options, especially if you don’t plan on getting married.

How Do I Challenge Paternity?

A father can find out a child isn’t theirs when married or unmarried. Paternity is typically contested to challenge a child support order. If you legally acknowledged paternity at the time of your child’s birth to find out the child isn’t yours, you can rescind the legal court order within 60 days.
The Texas Senate Bill 785 allows a father to challenge the parent-child relationship as misleading information surfaces. The Bill applies if you signed a court order without a DNA test confirming paternity.
When paternity is in question, and you’re on the hook for child support and related obligations, a DNA test is a quick way to get the results you’re after. Both mother and father can agree to a DNA test to clear up the matter and relieve you from responsibilities. We can help you contest paternity. Call today.

Why Do I Need a Paternity Lawyer?

Paternity lawyers protect parents’ rights and responsibilities and help resolve paternity-related disputes and other challenging issues that require a delicate approach. Our services are required in many different circumstances. For example, unmarried parents might use our services to file a court order to establish a child’s paternity.
In a different scenario, a father might come to us after finding out they are not their child’s father and must legally relinquish financial obligations. We also help reinforce a father’s rights if they have been denied custody or placement of a child they believe to be theirs.
With a lawyer on your side, you’ll have access to legal advice based on years of experience. Your attorney will guide you through the complex legal aspects of a paternity suit and give you the best chances possible for the outcome you seek.

Should You Hire Our Woodlands Paternity Attorneys?

Your relationship with your children is one of the most precious aspects of your life. If you are a single mother, you also have the right to help from the child’s biological father. Our attorneys will represent you confidently as we seek to meet your best interests in your paternity case.
When you are facing a legal struggle regarding paternity actions, you need a skilled team of lawyers with vast experience in family law. Please contact Morgan Bourque Attorney at Law immediately when you need to settle a sensitive or complex paternity issue.
We offer a free consultation to speak with any of our experienced paternity lawyers. Call today at 713-767-3733 to speak with our knowledgeable legal team.