Paternity

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California Paternity Lawyers

Establish Parental Rights with Help from Our Divorce Mediators

Residents of California are no strangers to nontraditional families of all kinds. When a child is born to a married or otherwise committed heterosexual couple, the assumption is that the man in the relationship is the father. However, when a couple is not in a committed relationship or cohabitating, there are further steps that a spouse must take to establish paternity through the courts.

Establishing paternity in the eyes of the law is important and has many benefits, including:

  • Securing financial support for your child
  • Receiving help from public assistance or health insurance
  • Establishing the child as a valid heir to their biological father’s estate
  • Allowing the biological father to be involved in the child’s life and assert his parental rights

To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or via phone at 949-368-2121.

Establishing Paternity in California

When a child is born, a father can sign a Voluntary Declaration of Paternity which acknowledges the child’s legal parents and lays out the rights and responsibilities of the father. If this form is not signed, it may become necessary to file a paternity action. This process can be initiated by a public child support agency, an adoption agency, a mother, or a father who believes himself to be the father. They will then ask the court to help establish the biological father. The court, in turn, will ask the alleged father and mother to submit to genetic testing – refusal could be used as evidence of paternity.

Call Alternative Divorce Solutions Now for Efficient Assistance

After establishing paternity, a father can assert their parental rights to visitation and being in the child’s life, and it can help mothers seek child support.

To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or via phone at 949-368-2121.

Meet Our Team

Experienced in Guiding You To a Resolution

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Headshot of Lani Baron, divorce mediator at Alternative Divorce Solutions

Lani Baron

Founder
& CEO

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Headshot of Jeanann Khalife, attorney mediator at Alternative Divorce Solutions

Jeanann Khalife

Attorney-Mediator
& Managing Partner

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Clients Share Their Stories

Stories Like These Inspire Us Every Day

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“Thank you for all your knowledge, conscientiousness, and kindness.”

– Beverly

“First and foremost, I found that I had a lot to learn about the divorce mediation process. I did not exactly know what the role of the mediator was or if we would still have to go to Court.”

– Donald B.

“I was so stressed out before I went to ADS. Once I got there Lani sat with me and my husband and explained the whole mediation process. After I left I knew exactly what to expect and ADS lived up to my expectations.”

– Giz S.

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Top 10 Reasons
To Choose Mediation
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  • You get to be in control of your divorce.
  • Tailored solutions based on your needs.
  • Focus on your emotional well-being.
  • Eliminates combative power struggles.
  • Less stressful for every family member.
  • Neutral help from a qualified mediator.
  • Completely private and confidential.
  • Can protect the interests of young children.
  • Saves time by preventing long litigation.
  • Less money spent on attorney and court filing fees.