In New Jersey and across the United States, divorced men should think about getting DNA paternity tests. Since there are many legal issues involving child support and child custody, a negative DNA paternity test can alleviate men of their legal obligations toward the care of a child. On the other hand, a positive DNA test informs the man of his responsibilities for taking care of his biological child. An unmarried man is not automatically a child’s legal father. Instead, he is known as the child’s “alleged father” unless a DNA paternity test’s results prove otherwise.
Since DNA paternity tests are nearly 100% accurate, the results can make a radical difference in a divorced man’s financial situation. If the man takes a DNA paternity test yielding negative results, the man does not have any legal obligations to take care of the child. Consequently, his name does not need to appear on the child’s birth certificate. However, a paternity test yielding positive results indicates that the man is the child’s biological father.
In this case, the court will stipulate that the man has to make child support payments. In addition, the court has the power to grant him visitation rights and, in some cases, legal custody. A DNA paternity test relies on the results of a cheek or buccal swab after a medical professional gathers a specimen from the man’s mouth or cheek. The test does not cause any pain and requires no invasive surgery. The test’s accuracy is similar to results obtains from a standard blood test.
Child support is an important issue affecting a man’s financial circumstances. Any alleged or biological father needing fresh insight about his legal obligations may want to contact a family law attorney. A divorce lawyer may provide information about child custody, visitation rights and alimony.
