Paternity Notification
Having a child is such a life altering event, and going it alone can make things more difficult. There are, however, a number of reasons a mother might not want the father of her baby to be involved in the child’s life. Because a child born out of wedlock is under the sole custody and control of the single mother, it is your right to withhold the fact that you are pregnant from the child’s biological father if you see fit. While there is no law requiring the biological father to be notified, there are important factors to consider before deciding to keep the father of your child in the dark.
Establishing Paternity
Should you choose to establish the paternity of your child, there are some personal, medical, and financial benefits:
- Identity – knowing both parents can help a child understand who he or she is
- Medical – having access to the father’s medical records reveals information regarding possible inherited conditions or diseases. It also helps identify possible blood and tissue matches should the need arise.
- Money (Support) – even in an unplanned pregnancy, both parents are required by law to support the child.
It is important to keep in mind, if you are married, or were married within 10 months of the birth, then, legally, your husband at the time is considered the father by default.
You must also consider that the father may suspect that the child is his. In this case, he can name himself the “self-alleged father.” As such, he has the legal right to request a hearing to determine paternity. If paternity is established, he can then petition the court for some level of access and custody.
Contact Us
In the event that the suspected father is violent, and he poses a threat to you and your child, the case is obviously more complicated. No matter what your circumstances, it is in your best interest to explore all of your legal options by speaking with a qualified family lawyer. Call the Austin family law attorneys of Slater, Kennon & Pugh, LLP, at 512-472-2431 today for more information.