Establishing paternity or parentage means obtaining acknowledgment from the state as a parent. Mothers and married fathers often have automatic parentage rights. Their names go on to the birth certificate of a child without any special effort. Unmarried fathers have the same basic legal rights in theory, but they may have to make a point of asserting them. There are several paths to establishing paternity.
Some people prefer to minimize the involvement of the state with their families, but establishing paternity is generally beneficial. Why do many parents want to officially establish paternity?
To acquire parental rights
A father who has not established paternity does not yet have any legal rights as a parent. The state has to acknowledge him for shared parenting time and legal authority to be an option. For mothers, establishing paternity is often the necessary step if they hope to receive child support. Legally establishing paternity helps ensure that a man has parental rights and responsibilities under the law.
To connect the child with benefits and rights
A father can provide a child with health insurance and other important benefits. Men who receive coverage through employment or military service can often extend those benefits to their spouses and children. For unmarried fathers, establishing paternity is necessary if they hope to give their child access to their benefits. Additionally, establishing paternity is a key part of protecting the child’s rights to survivor benefits and their inheritance rights.
If the father dies, the child could receive Social Security benefits and other forms of survivor benefits if the father has established paternity. The child may also have the right to inherit from the father’s estate if he had valuable property in his name.
To clarify family and medical history
One of the most important benefits of establishing paternity is giving a child a concrete understanding of where they come from and their family history. The medical history of a father and his extended family on their father’s side can affect everything from what types of medication the child takes to the diagnosis of unusual conditions.
Establishing paternity helps ensure that there is a clear connection that can assist with diagnosis and treatment when a child has an unusual medical issue. The choice to establish paternity can also give a child a better sense of their background and culture, which can give them a greater sense of connection to their family.
An entire family unit can potentially benefit from a man’s decision to legally establish paternity. Cooperating with the mother, requesting court intervention and undergoing genetic testing can help a man play an active role in the upbringing of his children.