What is a Paternity Test and How Does It Work?

Technology has come a long way the past few years—and so has the accuracy of paternity tests. These days, a paternity test can determine a child’s biological mother or father with a 99.99 percent accuracy rate. That is why Florida courts often recommend using paternity tests to help establish paternity for child custody and other related matters.

But, while they are accurate, you may be wondering how these tests work and how they are important for your case.

Understanding DNA

You have your own distinctive set of DNA, and your child will have DNA from both parents. With today’s paternity test, the test can measure the levels of DNA from each side—and easily differentiate between a parent or a sibling.

DNA can be acquired from multiple sources—from hair, blood, skin, and even cheek lining. DNA is established when a person is born—and that DNA never changes. In Florida courts, any DNA test that features 97 percent or more probability is acceptable for establishing paternity.

Why Paternity Tests are Key

Paternity is fatherhood and establishing it could establish your parental rights for your child. It determines if you are the legal father of a child and can be used for multiple reasons, including:

• Confirming Identity - Paternity tests may be used to confirm the natural father—allowing children to have a sense of belonging or identity.

• Medical Necessity - Sometimes the family needs access to medical history; therefore, they need to identify the biological father of the child. Also, this can play a role in inherited medical conditions or to see if a child can obtain health insurance coverage through the father’s current policy.

• Financial - Each parent has the responsibility to financially support his or her child. Once established, the biological father can be forced by the courts to financially support their child via child support payments.

• Parenting Arrangements - To establish parental rights and visitation, sometimes Florida courts may require that a father prove his paternity. This is especially true of the mother tries to deny paternity.

• Other Benefits - After paternity is established, a child has a legal right to other benefits from the father, including social security benefits, veteran benefits, and even inheritance.

Establishing Paternity

While technology has certainly come a long way, establishing or identifying paternity is not as easy as it may seem. If you are trying to prove that you are the biological father of a child, you may need the assistance of a Miami family law lawyer for your case.

An attorney can create a petition to obtain a DNA sample from the child for proof of paternity. Also, you may have to attend a hearing to establish your paternity.

If you need to establish paternity, contact the attorneys at Estevez-Pazos Law Firm today. We offer no obligation consultations and can assist you with your paternity case. Call our office in Coral Gables, Florida today at 305-717-7130.