Welcome to Lawrence H. Bloom, Esq.’s website. For over 30 years our firm has been devoted to Family law and helping people through the stressful changes in their lives. We have assisted many New York and New Jersey parents in their quest to establish parental rights and responsibilities regarding child support, visitation and shared parental obligations. This
site was developed to provide information on the law and science of paternity. We offer this information because we believe that an educated client has the tools to make intelligent, objective choices during challenging times. The Lawrence H. Bloom firm remains dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights and obtaining the most equitable results in divorce, alimony, child support and custody matters.
Paternity is defined by the law as “the state or condition of being a father” and a father has obligations and enforceable rights regarding his child. Once paternity is established, custody, child support payments and visitation schedules can be decided. When both partners agree that the man is the father of the child, there is usually no further evidence of paternity required. However, paternity issues arise in situations where:
- One of the parents denies legal paternity. In this case, the parent who wishes to confirm biological paternity files a paternity suit or action,
- A mother files criminal charges against an alleged father for non-support,
- A divorce action is taken and parties are unsure of a child’s parentage, or
- The father wishes to “legitimize” his child and to obtain visitation or custody of the child.
Establishing paternity is an important first step in obtaining child support and is especially important to children born to unmarried parents. Until paternity is established, a child is not entitled to support and lacks the legal rights of children who are born within a marriage. Paternity can be proven in several ways including the father’s voluntary written acknowledgement that is filed with the birth registrar; a proceeding to establish paternity is initiated by the mother, father, caregiver or child; or a court order is given for a blood or genetic tests when the parties do not voluntarily take one.
The court will usually order a paternity test when an alleged father denies that he is the biological parent of a particular child. In situations where paternity is contested, it is usually determined by DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) or genetic testing which provides the court with proof of paternity. We are each born with a unique genetic blueprint known as DNA, which is passed from mother and father to child. DNA and blood testing substantiate biological relationships and tests that result in matches of 95% or greater establish the probability of paternity.
The Lawrence H. Bloom firm can help you understand the law and your options. The decisions that you make during your paternity case will have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of your child. We have access to expertise in the technology of establishing paternity, obtaining back support judgments, obtaining current support orders, and facilitating entry of visitation plans. Call us in New York at (212) 964-3502 or New Jersey at (201) 925-8148. We can also be reached via email at Larry@divorcebybloom.com.
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