Paternity (law)

Paternity means figuring out who a child's biological father is.

Sometimes, when a baby is born, it's easy to know who the father is because the mother is married and the father is her husband. But other times, it may not be clear who it is.

In cases where it's not obvious, there are different ways that paternity can be established. One way is for the mother and alleged father to sign papers saying that he is the father. Another way is for DNA testing to be done. This means that a special test is taken from both the mother and the man who could be the father, which will show if there is a genetic match.

Once paternity is legally established, the father will have certain responsibilities, such as paying child support and having visitation rights. The father can also have certain rights, such as making decisions about the child's education and health care.

Overall, establishing paternity is important because it helps children have a relationship with both their parents and ensures that both parents take responsibility for the child's needs.