Why Is Establishing Paternity Important for Illinois Families?

 Posted on March 12, 2021 in Paternity

When you are not married and you have a child in Illinois, establishing the paternity of your child can be more complicated than it is for a couple who is married. When a couple is married at the time the child is born, the man to whom the mother is married is presumed to be the child’s legal father. When a couple is not married, there are extra steps that must be taken to establish the paternity of their child. For many people, establishing the paternity of their child is a sentimental act, but it also carries many legal benefits for everyone, including the mother and father. For instance, fathers in Illinois do not have any rights to parenting time or parental decision-making responsibilities unless their paternity has been established to their child. Paternity cases can become complicated, but an experienced Illinois paternity lawyer can guide you through the process.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity

When you establish the paternity of a child, this change can affect not only the child but also the mother and father, too. In many cases, parents may not think of some of the benefits of making the legal connection between the child and his or her father. Here are some of the biggest benefits that establishing paternity provides:

• Allows Fathers to Petition for Child Custody: One of the main benefits of establishing paternity is giving the father the ability to claim his right to parenting time and parental responsibilities. Even if a man is truly the biological father of a child, he is not legally entitled to parental rights until there is a paternal link established.

• Helps to Establish a Relationship Between Father and Child: For many children, knowing who their family is and who their parents are is a very important part of creating their identity. Establishing the paternity of your child can be the beginning of creating a meaningful and lasting relationship not only between the child and his or her father but also between the child and the father’s family.

• Allows the Child to Benefit from Financial Support from the Father: Establishing a paternal relationship also establishes the financial responsibility that comes along with being a parent, making the father eligible to be liable for child support. In addition, the child will then also be able to collect benefits in the event of the father’s death, such as Social Security, Veteran’s benefits, and/or inheritance.

• Grants the Father Access to Certain Information: In some situations, only a child’s legal parents are permitted to have access to certain sensitive information. If a child’s father is not established as his or her legal father, he will not be able to access such information. Establishing legal paternity ensures the child’s father always has access to the child’s records, such as medical records and school records.

A Geneva Family Law Attorney Can Help You Navigate Your Paternity Case

There are many reasons for members of a family to want to establish the paternity of a child, but the process of doing so can sometimes be tedious. In many cases, fathers want to establish paternity to gain parental rights, but both parents do not always see eye-to-eye. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand the significance that establishing paternity can provide to a family. Our team will help you legally establish the paternity of your child, whether that be in or out of court. To schedule a consultation with our Kane County paternity lawyer to begin discussing your case, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/ChildSupport/FormsBrochures/Pages/hfs3282.aspx

https://www.verywellfamily.com/why-and-how-to-establish-paternity-2997684