One of the most accurate techniques to determine the father of a child is paternity testing. It provides genetic proof about the father of the child and maternity tests provide genetic proof about who the mother is. Sometimes, reverse paternity testing is done to determine the parenting when the father if he is not available. There are many legal issues that can arise when faced with a situation where the biological father of a child needs to be determined. This article addresses some of the most commonly asked legal questions that arise when faced with such situations. Is it possible to get a DNA test by court order before the birth of the child? Most of the times, the court may not permit a DNA test before the birth of the child. The test may be done to determine the identity of the parent after the child is born. Is it possible medically to conduct a DNA paternity test before the child is born? One may be able to conduct a paternity test when the child is still in the womb. However, this decision may depend on how many weeks the woman has been pregnant for and what effects the test may have on the pregnancy. Such tests, when permitted, are done with medical consent only. Is it safe to conduct a pre-natal paternity test? Pre-natal paternity test may be conducted between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This test may be conducted if the doctor thinks that there is some genetic or chromosomal problem. This is because sometimes, the test may lead to a miscarriage and can be harmful to the health of the child. Is there a statute of limitation on DNA paternity testing? The court may not force a paternity test if the child is not a minor. While the child is still a minor, there is no specific statute of limitations on paternity testing. How much does paternity testing cost? most of the times, the clinic where one goes for a paternity test may inform him/her when he/she may have to pay. The clinic will also inform who needs to pay and where the payment needs to be made. Any questions about the payment of paternity tests may be asked at the clinic where the test is being conducted. The cost of the test may be different in different clinics and there is no fixed price for it. The people conducting the DNA paternity tests need to follow strict rules and guidelines to get accurate results of the test. These results can be used for determining child support, inheritance, social welfare benefits, and immigration and for legal adoption purposes. All the specimens of the parties involved should be collected by a third party individual in order to maintain the chain of custody requirements. Many times these tests can cause the people involved to worry about the procedures and results if they are unaware of the kind of test that will be done. In such situations, one may ask a family lawyer to learn more about the legal angle involved in paternity testing.
Related Articles -
paternity testing, DNA paternity testing, legal paternity testing, paternity DNA testing, prenatal paternity testing, paternity testing while pregnan,
|