As a father, if you are fighting for child custody or parental rights, it is important that you understand Father’s Rights in New Jersey and when to file a paternity suit. Continue reading to discover the steps you should take to establish legal paternity with the assistance of an experienced paternity action lawyer. Give our firm a call today to learn more about how we can assist you with this legal process going forward. We are here to help.
What are Father’s Rights in New Jersey?
It is common, in most circumstances, for courts to automatically grant fathers paternity in New Jersey. However, it is important to understand that there are some circumstances where the father will have to prove that they are the child’s father before the courts will be able to determine child custody. If you can prove that you were married to the child’s mother when the child was born or if you were married to the child’s mother in the 10 months before your child was born, you will likely be granted paternity. If you have signed a Certificate of Parentage when your child was born, this will also typically grant you paternity. If you believe that your parental status was wrongfully refused by the courts, you will require the assistance of an experienced attorney who will help you file a paternity suit.
What is a paternity suit?
In order to establish legal paternity, there are some circumstances where individuals will have to file a paternity suit or a paternity action in the New Jersey Family Court. There are various individuals who may file paternity suits including the following:
- The child
- Legal guardians or caretakers
- The child’s mother
- The man who says he is the child’s father
- Welfare agencies, if the child is receiving welfare
The paternity suit will be filed in front of a judge in New Jersey. With the assistance of a New Jersey paternity action attorney, you will have to prove that you have legal parental status. To learn how an attorney can assist you with this process, reach out to our experienced firm today to learn more about our services and how we will walk you through the steps of a paternity suit to achieve the parental rights you deserve.
Contact our experienced Bergen County firm
At Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark, our attorneys have extensive experience helping clients to understand and protect their legal rights before, during, and after the divorce process in towns across New Jersey and Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Paramus, Teaneck, and Fort Lee. To speak with our team of divorce lawyers today in a free and confidential consultation regarding your concerns about your divorce, please contact us online, or through our Hackensack, NJ office at (201) 397-1750.
