Why Establishing Paternity is Important

Mutually choosing to have and co-parent a child as an unmarried couple is a choice many people are happily making.  However, even is cases where a couple agrees to co-parent, paternity may play an important role in ensuring that the actual goal of co-parenting is achieved with ease, respect, and success. Failure to establish paternity could result in a father being denied a right to custody or visitation; or, in the alternative, deny a mother the right to receive child support.

The “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity” in California

Under California law when both unmarried parents sign a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity” they are declaring that they are the legal parents of the child.  Once a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity” is signed each parent has an equal responsibility to support the child and an equal right to custody of the child.  A declaration of paternity not only ensures for each parent rights to custody, visitation, and support, but it also protects the rights of the child to obtain benefits through the father including social security, military, or survivors benefits.  However,  a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity” may be difficult or impossible to reverse, so it is important that it not be signed if there is a dispute over paternity.

The Paternity Lawsuit

If the parents of a child born outside of marriage do not sign a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity,” or if parentage is in dispute, the parent who wants a confirmation of identity can file a court action. Ultimately, the court can order that all parties – parents and child – submit to a DNA blood test to resolve the issue.

The Complexity of Paternity Cases in California

The Case of Tate v. Wilburn

The California case of Tate v. Wilburn is interesting because it illustrates the far reaching effects of failing to follow certain procedures when challenging a claim of paternity.  In the Tate v. Wilburn case, the California Court of Appeal upheld a decision that ordered a homeless man to pay child support from his inheritance. In the Tate case, Hari Wilburn was named as the father of Cathy Tate’s daughter, Alexis, in a court proceeding during which Wilburn was ordered to pay child support.   Seventeen years later, Cathy Tate asked the Court to take money that Hari Wilburn was going to receive through an inheritance to pay the court ordered child support.  The court granted Cathy Tate’s request despite the fact that DNA test excluded Hari Wilburn as being Alexis’ father and had never established a father child relationship.   The court held that under California Family Code 7551, Wilburn waited too long to challenge the court’s finding of paternity. 

Clearly, the facts of the Tate case are unique.  However, the facts of any paternity case where the parents fail to sign a “Voluntary Declaration of Paternity” can be just as unique and complicated.  It is important to know what your rights are even when both parents of a child are in full agreement about co-parenting outside of marriage.  Also, if you are a parent who wants to establish paternity there are complex steps that need to be undertaken. The experienced family law attorneys at San Diego Law Firm can help you understand your rights and ensure that you and your child are protected legally and financially.  Please call us at (619) 794-0243 for a consultation.

California’s paternity laws provide a process for determining who a child’s legal father is.  By establishing fatherhood, many other important questions can be answered.  For example, will a child have a right to his or her father’s medical records to help identify inherited health problems and risks, will the child be able to benefit from his or her father’s health or life insurance coverage, have rights to social security or veterans benefits, and have the right to be financially supported and receive an inheritance from both parents?  (more…)