Why is establishing Paternity important?
There are many reasons to establish paternity. Doing so can provide benefits to the parents as well as the child, and it is a good way to get the relationship with your child off to a good start. Some of the benefits of establishing paternity are: IDENTITY: It is important to know who we are. Your child will benefit from a sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents. BIRTH CERTIFICATE: By law, if you sign the paternity affidavit, the father’s name will be listed on the child’s birth certificate. FINANCIAL: The law requires that both parents support their child. Establishing paternity is the first step in making plans, which can be monitored by the courts, to provide the financial support that your child will need in a way that is fair to both parents. Even if the father is unable or unwilling to pay support, establishing paternity makes it possible to collect support from him at a later date through tax interception, lottery interception, and wage withholding.
Identity: It is important for all of us to know who we are. Children have the right to know both parents. Medical: Children may benefit by knowing their medical history, as children sometimes inherit health problems that can be treated better if the doctor knows both parents’ medical histories. Support: Children have the right to be supported by both parents. Children who are supported by only one parent often do not have enough money to meet their needs. Benefits: Acknowledged children may also have the right to other benefits, including Social Security, Veteran’s benefits, and medical insurance. Inheritance: Children should have the right to inherit from both parents.
Both parents and the child have the right to a parent-child relationship; both parents and the child deserve an opportunity to develop, enjoy and grow in this relationship. Both parents have the right to know and the responsibility to support their own son or daughter. IDENTITY: It is important to know who we are. Your child has the right to the sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents. MONEY: The law requires both parents to support their child. This is true even with an unplanned pregnancy. A child supported by one parent often does not have enough money for his/her needs. BENEFITS: Your child has the right to other benefits from both parents. These benefits may include social security, insurance benefits, veteran’s and other types of benefits, and inheritance rights. MEDICAL: Your child may need a complete medical history from the families of both parents. This could include inherited health problems.
There are many reasons to establish paternity. It can provide benefits to the parents as well as the child, and it is a good way to get the relationship with your child off to a good start. Some of the benefits of establishing paternity are: • Identity: It is important to know who we are. Your child will benefit from the sense of belonging that comes from knowing both parents. • Birth Certificate: By law, if you sign the paternity affidavit, your name will be listed as the father on the child’s birth certificate. • Financial: The law requires that both parents support their child. Establishing paternity is the first step in making plans, which can be monitored by the courts, to provide the financial support that your child will need in a way that is fair to both parents. • Benefits: Your child has the right to other possible benefits from both parents. Many of these will be denied to your child if legal paternity is not established.
