Paternity and Child Support in Baltimore County, Maryland
- 12 BEST DIVORCE LAWYERS IN BALTIMORE--2024, 2023, 2022, 2021...EXPERTISE.COM
- Top 10 Family Law in MARYLAND, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, Attorney And Practice Magazine
- Top 10, Family Law and Client Service, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- #16 Top Law Firm in Maryland, GoodFirms
- 10/10 "Supurb" Rating, AVVO
- 4.7/5.0 Rating, Google
- Graduate of Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
- Graduate of the University of Baltimore Peter Angelos School of Law
Establishing Paternity at the Time of Birth
A quick and easy way to start the paternity establishment process is to encourage the father to put his name on the birth certificate and sign an Affidavit of Parentage, declaring that he is the father. J, the affidavit can be completed at a later time after the birth of the child as long as it is notarized. Once notarized, the document must be sent to the Division of Vital Records.
Your paternity lawyer will also advise those who have signed Affidavit of Parentage forms that if the potential father changes his mind, he has a right to cancel the affidavit by filling out a rescission form within 60 days of the date listed on the t. However, if the 60-day period has passed, the parents will need a court order to nullify the affidavit. Generally, the court will only c if it finds a material mistake of fact, duress or fraud involved.
Court Actions Regarding Paternity
Whenever paternity is contested, the court system often becomes the venue for resolution. Paternity actions are legal proceedings initiated to have a man legally recognized as a child's father. These cases can be brought by either the mother or the father.
It is important for parents to understand that if the mother is receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), welfare officials may become involved in establishing paternity. This involvement is due to legal requirements for the father to contribute financially to the care of his child. Mothers must cooperate with these proceedings, as failure to do so could result in a reduction or termination of their TANF benefits.
Paternity can be determined with high accuracy through blood or DNA tests, which can confirm paternity with 99.99 percent certainty and exclude paternity with absolute certainty. Once paternity is established through the courts, the proceedings will likely include the issuance of a child support order and discussions regarding custody arrangements.
Child Support and Paternity
Child support issues often emerge when parents decide to end their relationships. Regardless of the reasons for separation, the needs of any children involved remain paramount. Child support serves to assist the custodial parent with the financial burdens of raising a child, ensuring contributions from both parents. In Baltimore County, a paternity lawyer can guide individuals through the process of securing this necessary financial support.
It is essential for individuals seeking child support to understand that in Maryland, child support orders require legal proof of paternity. Paternity can be established through a court order or by completing an Affidavit of Parentage. This legal recognition is crucial as it forms the basis for financial support arrangements, ensuring that both parents fulfill their financial responsibilities towards their child.
Call 410-321-4994 To Meet With Towson Child Custody & Family Law Lawyer Amar S. Weisman.
Please call 410-321-4994 during business hours to schedule a free consultation to discuss whether you would like to retain Amar S. Weisman's legal services. Please note that our firm does not accept pro bono clients at this time. To secure legal services and receive advice, a retainer fee is required, and you can refer to our Policy on Fees/Costs for more details. Our law firm is conveniently located in the heart of Towson, close to prominent landmarks such as The Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Towson Town Center, Goucher College, and Towson University. You can find us at 1018 Dulaney Valley Road (MD-146), Second Floor, Towson, MD 21204 We proudly serve clients throughout the Baltimore area, including Aberdeen, Abingdon, Baldwin, Bel Air, Bowleys Quarters, Brooklandville, Carney, Catonsville, Cockeysville, Edgewood, Essex, Garrison, Glen Arm, Greenspring Valley, Homeland, Hunt Valley, Hydes, the Joppa Road Corridor, Kingsville, Long Green, Lutherville, Middle River, Nottingham, Owings Mills, Parkville, Pikesville, Perry Hall, Reisterstown, Riderwood, Rodgers Forge, Rosedale, Ruxton, Sparks, Sparrows Point, Stoneleigh, Timonium, Towson, West Towson, White Hall, White Marsh, and the York Road corridor. We have also provided legal representation to out-of-state clients. However, please be aware that our law firm does not guarantee specific outcomes in any legal matter.
