For fathers in Wisconsin, establishing paternity is a crucial step in securing their parental rights and ensuring their ability to play an active role in their child’s life. Without legal paternity, a father may not have custody or visitation rights, and the child may not receive the full benefits they are entitled to. If you are a father in Milwaukee seeking to establish paternity, understanding the legal process and your rights is essential.
What is Paternity and Why is it Important?
Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a man as a child’s father. When paternity is established, the father gains important rights, including custody and visitation, and the child gains benefits such as financial support, inheritance rights, and access to the father’s medical history.
For unmarried fathers, legal paternity is not automatically granted. Unlike married couples, where the husband is presumed to be the child’s legal father, unmarried fathers must take steps to establish paternity in order to protect their parental rights.
Ways to Establish Paternity in Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, there are three primary ways to establish legal paternity:
1. Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment
The simplest way to establish paternity is by signing a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment (VPA) form. Both parents must sign the form, which can be completed at the hospital after the child’s birth or later at a local child support office. Once signed and filed with the Wisconsin Vital Records Office, the father is legally recognized, giving him rights and responsibilities toward the child.
2. Court-Ordered Paternity
If there is a dispute or if the mother does not agree to sign the Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment, a father may need to seek a court order to establish paternity. This process typically involves filing a petition with the court and requesting a DNA test to confirm biological parentage. If the test confirms paternity, the court will issue an order legally recognizing the father’s status.
3. Acknowledgment Through the Child Support System
In cases where child support is requested, the Wisconsin Child Support Agency may initiate a paternity case. If a father believes he is the biological parent and wants to establish legal paternity, he can participate in the process and request a DNA test to confirm his relationship with the child.
The Benefits of Establishing Paternity
Once paternity is legally recognized, fathers gain rights to custody and visitation. Establishing paternity also ensures that the child receives financial support from both parents and access to health insurance and government benefits. Additionally, the child will have a legal right to inherit from the father and gain access to critical family medical history.
Protecting Fathers’ Rights
If you are an unmarried father in Milwaukee, working with a skilled father’s rights attorney can help you navigate the paternity process and protect your parental rights. A lawyer can guide you through filing the necessary paperwork, represent you in court if needed, and ensure you receive fair custody or visitation arrangements.
By establishing paternity, fathers can build strong, legally protected relationships with their children, ensuring their role in their child’s life for years to come. For a free family law attorney consultation in Milwaukee visit https://www.milwaukeedivorceattorneys.net/.