If parties were not married at the time of the birth of a child, it is important to establish parentage or a paternity judgment. Without a judgment of paternity, the rights and obligations of each parent for things like child custody and child support are not clear and cannot be enforced.
Either party may request DNA testing. The ability to contest paternity or require testing may be lost if not timely demanded. Once there is a determination of paternity, the court has authority to make orders for child support and parenting plans.
The San Diego Family Law attorneys at Baldwin & Da Silva, LLP have experience guiding parents through the process of determining parentage and implementing the appropriate orders for support and custody after parentage has been established.