Why Is Paternity Important?

At Reich, Jumbeck, Stole & Reeb, LLP, we help both fathers and mothers who are divorcing or who were never married play an active role in the lives of their children. Our lawyers work to get parents fair child support payments, visitation time and other legal agreements that allow them to contribute to the well-being of a child. Parents in Will, Kendall, DuPage and Grundy counties can come to our Joliet office and receive legal guidance for questions about paternity and the allocation of parental responsibilities.

Married parents who have a child will automatically have a father listed on a birth certificate. If parents are not married at the time of a child’s birth and the father does not acknowledge his parentage, his name will not be on the birth certificate. This lack of documentation can cause issues when attempting to establish visitation rights or child support payments.

The Allocation Of Parental Duties To Fathers

Paternity, also called parentage, is the legal process that proves the fatherhood of a child. A father can voluntarily acknowledge their paternity or a court order can compel a father to take a genetic test. Our lawyers help fathers, mothers and other family members establish a child’s legal parentage. Once we establish paternity, our lawyers will pursue all the rights and responsibilities that come with fatherhood.

The Illinois Parentage Act of 2015 states that the court should consider both parents equally when deciding a parenting plan. While some judges may have more historic viewpoints, the law states that the allocation of parental duties must focus on what is in a child’s best interests. Our law firm assists both fathers and mothers in obtaining agreements that allow them to build strong relationships with their child.

Our Family Law Attorneys Can Take Immediate Action

Establishing paternity or changing a court order may become more difficult the longer you wait. We understand that your highest priority is protecting your family, and our lawyers will take the necessary steps in your case. Contact us at 815-770-2669 or use our contact form to begin the legal process.