Establishing paternity is more than just paying a monthly check for child support. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re making the effort to establish paternity:
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Every child has the right to know and be known by his or her father
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When you establish paternity, your child also gains legal benefits, including:
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The right to benefit financially from the birth father. Once paternity has been established a child is entitled to regular child support as well as the legal right to death benefits. Death benefits can include social security or Veteran’s benefits, and possibly inheritance. If you don’t choose to establish paternity results it could hurt your child from gaining these financial benefits.
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Access to the father’s medical history. After paternity has been established a child also has the right to be informed of any genetic medical issues that could have been passed on from the birth father.
For more information about why and how to establish paternity read the full article by Jennifer Wolf. If you’ve established paternity contact David Veliz at Veliz Katz Law to learn you and your child’s legal rights.
