Do I Need to Establish Paternity?

 Posted on January 09, 2023 in Paternity

Questions or disputes over paternity are very common, especially when the parents of a child have already separated or never had a formal relationship in the first place. Prospective mothers, who may be facing pregnancy and childbirth without a partner, are often torn between the benefits of establishing paternity and the drawbacks of establishing a permanent legal relationship between a child and a man whom she may not trust or know very well - or worse, that she fears.

If you are pregnant or recently gave birth to a child and are wondering whether the benefits of establishing paternity for your little one outweigh the potential risks, it is important to speak with an Illinois paternity lawyer who can help you explore your options and make an informed decision. If you do decide to move forward with a paternity suit, your attorney can help you manage that so you do not have to navigate the complex Illinois family court system alone.

What Are the Benefits of Establishing Paternity?

There are a few well-known reasons that both a mother and child can benefit from paternity. The first and perhaps most obvious is that the mother has the potential support of another adult when raising the child. Childrearing is a difficult and emotionally draining task for one parent to do on their own; if you expect that your child’s father would be willing to participate in raising your child, you may find that having another adult in the picture could make a big difference in terms of the ease and practicality of raising your loved one.

The second most beneficial reason for establishing paternity is that you will likely be able to secure a child support order. In addition to being emotionally exhausting, children are also very expensive. You may be able to pay for the costs of raising a child yourself, but nearly everything is easier when you have the help of an additional income from your child’s other parent.

What are the Drawbacks of Establishing Paternity?

Some fathers are uninvolved, uncaring, or downright dangerous. Women who had abusive partners or who never had an emotionally healthy or fulfilling relationship with a man may simply decide to raise a child by themselves rather than risk establishing a long-term legal relationship with a man they fear could put themselves or their child at risk.

It is important to know that there is no law requiring you to establish paternity or even to notify the father of your child that you are pregnant or have given birth. However, it is also important to know that if your child’s father finds out that the child exists, he can pursue a paternity case, even if you do not want him to, and you will need to cooperate. There are good reasons for many women to oppose establishing paternity, but there are risks and rewards with every path.

Meet with a Kane County, IL Paternity Lawyer

Establishing legal paternity can have many benefits for a child and her mother, but some people have good reasons for being hesitant about establishing paternity. If you are wondering what your options are under Illinois law, schedule a confidential consultation with a St. Charles, IL paternity lawyer with Goostree Law Group. Our meetings with our clients are private and you will not have to meet with Illinois DCFS or other family services simply because you schedule a meeting with an attorney to ask questions about the benefits and drawbacks of establishing paternity. Call us today at 630-584-4800.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=3638&ChapterID=59