The First Step Toward Custody, Visitation or Support

If parents were not married when their child was born, the court usually must establish legal parentage before it can make custody, visitation or child support orders. For many fathers, this is the first and most important step.

There are two common ways to establish parentage in California:

1.      Voluntary Declaration of Parentage. Often signed at the hospital, this has the same effect as a court judgment once it is properly signed and filed.

2.      Petition to Establish Parental Relationship (FL-200). If there's no voluntary declaration, either parent can file this petition in family court. The other parent is served and has 30 days to respond.

If parentage is disputed, the court can order genetic testing. Once parentage is established, you can ask for custody, visitation and support orders in the same case, often by filing an FL-300 Request for Order.

Many parents wait years to establish parentage, then find they have no enforceable rights when a problem comes up. Starting early protects your relationship with your child.

If you need to establish paternity, call me at 877-4CA-FCLS (877-422-3257) for a free consultation.