Paternity Lawyer in Utah

When a baby is born to a married couple in Utah, the child is legally presumed to belong to the father and the mother. When babies are born to unmarried couples, the father does not automatically have the same legal rights or duties as a father who is married to his baby’s mother. The paternal relationship between a father and his child is not legally recognized until paternity is established.

Utah Law allows a child’s mother, father or the state of Utah to pursue paternity establishment to give unmarried parents the same rights and obligations to their child as a married couple has. Under the Utah Uniform Parentage Act an unmarried father must declare his parentage or establish paternity through genetics testing, or declaration under certain circumstances, to have a say in the child’s upbringing or receive formal notification of adoption.

You need a caring, compassionate and experienced paternity lawyer on your side if you are unmarried and expecting a baby. Contact Wasatch Defense Attorneys today at 801-845-3509 to protect your child and yourself before paternity is established. We have several decades of experience in guiding our clients through the process of establishing paternity in the state of Utah.

Why is it Important to Establish Paternity?

It is important to establish your paternity and your rights as a father as soon as the baby is born. This will enable you to be a part of your child’s life from the beginning. Other important reasons include:

• Paternal Rights that go along with parenthood like custody, visitation and important decision making for your child’s future.
• Family Health History to determine if a child has inherited health issues.
• Financial Support to help raise the child. Utah law requires both mothers and fathers to support their children.
• Benefits that your child is entitled to including medical insurance, social security insurance, inheritance and veteran’s benefits.
• Citizenship to provide important citizen’s rights to the child in the US and for rights in other countries when legally recognized paternity is established.

Protect Your Rights as a Father

According to the Utah Adoption Act a man who believes he is the biological father of an unborn or newborn child in The Beehive State needs to understand that he has no legal rights unless paternity is established and that the mother may put the child up for adoption at any time without notifying the father if he is unestablished as the child’s biological parent.

How is Paternity Established in Utah?

When a child is born to unmarried parents, the mother will retain sole legal and physical custody until the child’s paternity is established. It is important to seek experienced legal representation to ensure your rights as a father are established and upheld as soon as the child is born. Aside from a presumption of paternity when a child born to a married couple, there are several other ways paternity might be established in the state of Utah when a child is born to an unmarried couple, including:

• DNA Testing
• Recognition of Parenthood
• Declaration of Paternity
• Both Parents Agree to Name the Father on the Birth Certificate

If the father denies or resists admitting paternity of a child, the state of Utah may order DNA testing to allow the courts to adjudicate the child’s parentage. This means that, based upon the test results, the court will declare a child’s paternity to legally link the father and child to each other for all time.

Choose Experienced Paternity Lawyer in Utah

If you believe you are the biological father to a child that may be put up for adoption, take action now before it is too late. Contact Wasatch Defense Attorneys today at 801-845-3509 to protect your paternal rights. Do not delay, you must begin the process to establish paternity to enact your rights as a father. Our father’s rights advocates will help establish a firm defense and help you gain the rights needed for you to make decisions about your child’s future. We proudly offer military discounts to US veterans and have payment plans to fit your budget.