When a child is born to a married couple, a legal presumption arises that the husband is the child's father. This isn't the case with unmarried couples. Establishing paternity is important for unmarried couples in the event they break up and a parent seeks custody or child support, for inheritance purposes, and in a variety of other circumstances. If the parents get married after the mother becomes pregnant but before the birth, the husband's paternity is presumed in the same manner as if the parents were married at the time of conception.

But sometimes it's necessary to establish paternity after birth, especially when the presumptive father has denied paternity. Read on for a detailed look at the chronology of establishing paternity.

Establishing Paternity After Birth

If the parents marry after the child is born, they can sign a legitimation form, which grants the same rights as if the parents were married at the time of birth.

Even if parents never marry, paternity can be established voluntarily when the parents are certain of the father's identity. In such cases, they may sign a legal form called a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, or something similar, and then file the form with the court or appropriate state agency. Executing this voluntary acknowledgment can be done right in the hospital following the child's birth, or any time thereafter. The father's name is then included on the child's birth certificate.

Even if a voluntary acknowledgment isn't signed, the parties may later enter into an agreement with the help and advice of their attorneys that establishes the father's identity and resolves custody and support issues.

Filing a Paternity Lawsuit

If neither of these voluntary procedures is an option, legal action may be necessary.

A mother may file a paternity action to establish that the man she believes to be her child's father in fact is, or, if the mother is receiving public assistance, the state may initiate the action in order to recover its costs from the father. The putative, or probable, father's presence in court will be demanded, and he may be required to submit to DNA testing if he contests his paternity. Genetic blood test results are usually available within a few weeks, and they can establish (or negate) paternity with about 99 percent accuracy.

If paternity is established in this manner, the court will enter an order regarding the father's paternity. The father then becomes legally obligated to pay child support according to the state's guidelines, which are generally based on both parents' incomes and the needs of the children.

Settling Before the Verdict

At any time in this process prior to entry of the court's order, the parties may still enter into a settlement agreement that resolves the custody and financial issues relating to the child. In most instances, a father is legally required to provide financial support to his children, so he doesn't have a lot of negotiating room. One alternative option that is sometimes pursued, however, is to offer the mother a lump-sum child support payment in exchange for her agreement to not pursue additional child support in the future.

This option has some advantages, since it may enable the mother to purchase a home or make profitable investments, for instance. However, it can also be disadvantageous, since it is hard to predict how incomes and needs may change in the future. The court closely scrutinizes lump-sum paternity settlements, and such agreements have been invalidated based on unfairness or unconstitutionality grounds.

Once paternity has been established, the child obtains many legal rights beyond child support. The child can inherit from his or her father, is eligible for health insurance coverage under the father's group policy, is entitled to Social Security benefits if the father dies or becomes disabled, may be entitled to wrongful death benefits if the father dies as a result of someone else's negligence, and can obtain medical history information, to say nothing of the emotional benefits-to both the father and the child-that may be reaped as a result of establishing paternity.

Get Legal Assistance With Your Paternity Matter

Establishing paternity is an important part of the court system as it's one way, among others, to protect children and enforce the legal responsibilities of parents. The process for establishing paternity can differ among the various states. In order to understand the laws of your state and how they may apply to your situation, you should consider speaking with an experienced family law attorney today.