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Paternity Issues

- Questions

Can you perform a paternity test if the alleged father is deceased?

Yes, depending on the type of specimen available, or members of the family within the paternal line that are willing to participate in a DNA test. If an autopsy was performed at the time of the alleged father’s death, the medical examiner may have a blood stain card, which would contain his DNA. The family member with power of attorney would need to request that the blood stain card be released to the laboratory for testing. In cases where there are no direct specimens available for the alleged father, other types of family relationship DNA tests may provide the information needed to establish paternity, especially when you need to seek social security or other benefits, or for inheritance purposes. The rule of thumb is the closer the family members are to the alleged father within the family tree, and/or the more paternal family members that participate, the stronger the probability of relationship, which is critical when seeking legal admissibility and acceptance for these reasons. Ask your local medical assistant about grandpaternity testing and other possible DNA tests.

Can I receive a copy of the paternity test results when I am the biological mother of the child?

Any participant in a DNA test, or legal guardian of a participant have rights to a copy of the test results unless they relinquish those rights and it’s documented on the chain-of-custody form at the time of collection, and all parties acknowledge and sign that they agree.

Can I make payments on my paternity test?

Ask your local store’s medical assistant. Some locations will allow you to pay a portion of the test at the time of the specimen collection, then pay the remaining balance when you pick up your test results.

I would like to order a legally-admissible paternity test without the father knowing it. Can that be done?

No. In order for a paternity test to be accepted as legal evidence, the alleged father will need to provide formal identification and complete his portion of the required chain-of-custody documentation.

How accurate are your paternity tests?

Paternity and DNA tests are 100% accurate. The results of paternity tests are statistical calculations, and will be reflected as a probability of paternity, or a probability of relatedness, depending on the type of family relationship you are trying to establish. Our DNA testing partner is accredited by the most recognized and accepted governing agencies, so you can trust the quality of your test results.

I need a DNA test, but I don’t know where the alleged father is. Can you find him for me?

No, we do not offer people locator services. However, we can direct you to some of the local private investigators we work with if you wish to try and find him. Ask your local store’s medical assistant for a referral.

Can we get a paternity test before the baby is born?

Yes. ANY LAB TEST NOW® offers a prenatal paternity test with no risk to the baby. It involves a simple blood draw from both the mother and alleged father. Click here to learn more, or contact your local store’s medical assistant for additional details.

Can we come in separately to have our specimens collected, although the test will be performed with all of us – mom, dad and child?

Yes, as long as the specimen collections occur reasonably close in days to each other.

I need a paternity test but the child and mother/child’s alleged father lives in a different state. Can you do the test when he doesn’t live here?

Yes. We have over 170 locations nationwide, and are able to easily facilitate specimen collections in other parts of the country. If the participating person lives in an area where we do not have another ANY LAB TEST NOW location, we will contact other specimen collection providers to coordinate the test on your behalf, subject to an additional collection fee.

Does the mother of a child need to participate with the alleged father in a paternity test?

No, mother’s participation is not required, but is encouraged. Since one half of the child’s DNA is contributed by the mother, the laboratory can compare her DNA to the child’s to determine her genetic contribution. The DNA remaining must then match the alleged father to be included as the father. Also, the probability of paternity is statistically higher when the mother participates in the test since the scientists will have known parental information available. A high probability of paternity can still be obtained without the mother’s DNA though.

What is the difference between an Informational Paternity Test and a Legally-Admissible (Chain-of-Custody) Paternity Test?

An Informational Paternity Test is purely for information only. No identification is required to perform the test; therefore, the test results will not contain the names of the tested parties and the results cannot be used for other purposes, as defined under the Legally-Admissible Paternity Test, below.

Can other specimens be used for paternity or other family relationship DNA testing?

Yes. Other biological specimens can be used, such as blood, hair follicles (not cut hair), seminal or vaginal fluids, skin, bones and teeth, among others. In situations where DNA testing must be discreet, check with our medical assistant for other options. We can generally accept other items and materials suspected of containing DNA, though we cannot guarantee the DNA’s viability or presence due to possible contamination, age, improper storage or other factors.

How do you collect DNA samples?

In most cases, DNA is collected from participating tested parties with a soft swab that looks similar to a long Q-tip. The swabs are rubbed on the inside cheeks of the mouth of all tested parties. The swab collects skin cells that contain the DNA.

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