Paternity

Lansing Paternity Lawyer

Often an emotionally charged issue, paternity actions are the key to ensuring proper custody, parenting time, and support orders are created. It is essential that paternity be determined in order to preserve your right to see your child or gain the amount of child support that provides for your child's needs. It is also essential to ensure that any questions regarding parentage are resolved prior to the entry of any orders regarding child custody or child support.

At the office of Bailey Smith & Bailey, PC, we confidently handle paternity cases for men and women across the Tri Counties area. Our lawyers have over 60 years of combined experience handling a range of family law matters, including paternity issues. Though we handle a great deal of cases involving unwed fathers' rights, we represent both men and women in a range of paternity situations.

With the emergence of new technology, it is easier than ever to establish paternity. A simple swab from the inside of your cheek can be the key to gaining access to your child. A member of our firm can explain the DNA paternity testing process and help you request that a test be performed.

Once the child's parentage has been established, the related custody and child support matters can be addressed. If paternity is not determined, any custody and/or child support arrangements that were made outside of the court are not legally enforceable.

In a marriage, there is no determination of paternity necessary. A husband is presumed to be the father of a child born of the marriage. However, if there is a divorce filing and the paternity comes into question, it is important that a DNA test be done in order for the man to retain his rights to the child or children.

Contact an Okemos paternity attorney at Bailey Smith & Bailey, PC, to discuss your options regarding any paternity or other family law issues you may be facing. A free phone consultation is available at 517.349.2800.