Nashville Paternity Lawyer

Establishing paternity is an important process but it can also be an emotionally difficult one. In Tennessee, paternity refers to the child’s legal father and the obligations and rights the father has to the child.

If you are in Nashville and would like to establish paternity to file for or gain custody, seek out visitation rights or child support, or even establish a relationship, contact the Burdine Law Firm offices today. Our team of Nashville family law attorneys will stand by your side and guide you through the process of establishing paternity in Nashville. Call us today at (615) 576-3563 or contact us online for more information on how we can help you.

Why Work With Burdine Law Firm in Tennessee

When working to establish paternity, you want skilled legal representation on your side. That’s why you should choose Burdine Law Firm. Our experienced Nashville paternity lawyers provide:

  • More than 15 years of legal experience
  • Effective legal strategies tailored to your specific needs
  • Empathetic attorneys who will support you through the legal process

Our team has the experience, skill, and drive to help you and fight for your rights. Contact our Nashville divorce attorneys today to learn more about how we can help you in your paternity case.

What Is the Purpose Of Establishing Paternity And Why Is It Important?

Establishing paternity serves the purpose of defining the legal rights and responsibilities of a father toward their child(ren).  For unmarried fathers, establishing their paternity is essential in order to secure parental rights, even if their name is on their child’s birth certificate. Tennessee Code Annotated, §36-2-304 defines cases where the law will presume when a man is the father of a child, however, if the statute is not met, a father must establish paternity to obtain parental legal rights.

Legal proof of paternity is critical in cases that involve child support payments or disputes of child custody arrangements.

Benefits of establishing and acknowledging paternity include:

  • Identity – children have the right to know who their mother and father are and have a relationship with them. This can help to foster a sense of identity and belonging to help the child develop emotionally.
  • Medical – children can find out if they have any inherited disorders or diseases, and if they may be eligible for their parent’s healthcare.
  • Financial – children with knowledge and legal proof of who their father is may qualify for benefits such as child support, health or life insurance, inheritance rights, veterans benefits, Social Security, and more.

How Can You Establish Paternity in Nashville, Tennessee?

According to the Tennessee Department of Human Services, you can establish paternity in Nashville by:

  1. Being present at birth – this is the best time to acknowledge paternity and give the father legal rights from the start. This also allows the father to have his name on the official birth certificate
  2. Signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAoP) – this must be signed in front of a notary public
  3. Getting a court order – if either parent has opened a case with the local child support office, the child support office may file a court order to get a DNA test
  4. Requesting a DNA test – either parent can request a DNA test if biological proof of paternity is desired before naming the man the legal father

How Can A Nashville Paternity Lawyer Help You?

A skilled Nashville paternity attorney will know what steps need to be taken, and what paperwork needs to be filed, and will guide you through the legal process of establishing paternity while working to protect your rights and advocate for your interests.

Burdine Law Firm Can Help You Handle Your Paternity Case In Nashville

If you are in Nashville and want to establish paternity, let the Nashville paternity attorneys of Burdine Law Firm guide you through the process. You don’t have to go it alone. Call us at (615) 576-3563 or contact us online today to get started.