Establishing paternity is an essential legal process that determines the father of a child. In Illinois, paternity can be established in several ways, including through marriage, voluntary acknowledgment, or court order. While establishing paternity is important for both mothers and fathers, we are going to focus on why it is especially important for fathers in Illinois. For matters pertaining to paternity, do not hesitate to contact a paternity lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and advocated for throughout the legal process.  

Importance of Establishing Paternity

Reasons that parents should prioritze establishing paternity including the following:

• Establishing Parental Rights – One of the most significant reasons why fathers must establish paternity is to establish parental rights. Without legal paternity, fathers may have limited or no rights to decide on their child’s health, education, or other important matters. Establishing paternity ensures that fathers have a legal right to be involved in their child’s life, including making crucial decisions about their upbringing.

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Becoming a parent is one of the most significant life events a person can go through, and it comes with a host of different emotions. However, the excitement and joy of becoming a parent can quickly turn to shock and dismay when a man finds out that he is not the child’s biological father.

If you have found yourself in this unfortunate situation, you may understandably be filled with questions and concerns. You may wonder whether you will still be obligated to pay child support or whether there is any legal action you need to take to rectify the situation.

Paternity Laws in Illinois

Paternity is the legal father-child relationship. Once paternity is established, a father has the right to seek parenting time (visitation) and custody of his child. The father may also be required to pay child support. When a married couple has a child, the mother’s husband is automatically presumed to be the father. When an unmarried couple has a child, they can establish paternity by signing a document called a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VAP).