5 Reasons You Might Need a Paternity Test
Thanks to salacious television talk shows, the phrase “Who’s your daddy?” has become something of a joke. But for many people, determining paternity is a serious matter. While many people get a paternity test for peace of mind, there are several other reasons why someone might seek out this type of testing.
Here are five reasons that might cause you to require a paternity test.
Custody
Paternity tests play an important part in child custody cases, especially when the father wants to obtain the right to see the child. This usually happens when the mother believes the man is not the father of her child and she does not want to allow him to have visitation with the child.
If you recall, model Anna Nicole Smith was forced to submit to a DNA test by a former boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, to determine the paternity of her daughter even though she registered another man’s name as the child’s father on the birth certificate. The daughter turned out to be Birkhead’s child. He was ultimately granted full custody of the child due to Smith’s sudden death in 2007.
Child Support
A U.S. Census report estimates that just 43.5 percent of custodial parents get the full amount of support they’re entitled to. And more than 30 percent don’t receive anything at all. In many cases, it is because the male denies he is the biological father of the child or children that are to be supported.
A paternity test can ordered by a judge to hold these fathers accountable for the financial well-being of their children. It can also be used to help men avoid paying child support for children that turn out NOT to be their biological offspring.
Inheritance Rights
After someone dies and it is time to settle the estate, a paternity test can help determine the true and legal heirs. DNA testing can be useful in estate disputes involving estranged family members, such as when a wealthy individual dies without a will and an alleged child comes along to claim the inheritance. There have been many famous cases where the inheritance rights were in dispute, including soul singer James Brown, and even Elvis Presley, who was rumored to have fathered at least seven illegitimate children who required DNA testing to disprove their claims to his $250 million estate.
Benefits Rights
Like inheritance rights, sometimes heirs are entitled to other benefits such as social security or life insurance payouts. Occasionally, heirs will need to provide proof of paternity to be considered a legal beneficiary.
Citizenship Eligibility
When birth certificates or other forms of documentation are not available, DNA paternity testing can help prove a familial relationship in immigration cases. This is helpful when a child is born outside of the United States to an American citizen and a foreign national. If the child is proven to be related to the American, they would be eligible for citizenship.
Paternity Test Process
In many of these cases, you will need test results that will hold up in court. Any Lab Test Now® offers several types of paternity tests, including one that is eligible for use in legal disputes. Home tests and tests labeled “informational” will not be admissible in court.
Testing is simple. One of our highly skilled lab technicians will collect skin cell samples via a soft swab rubbed on the inside cheeks of the mouth to obtain DNA from the child and the alleged father. A sample from the mother is not required but can be useful. Test results are typically available within three to five business days.
Frequently Asked 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.
Can you 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.
The alleged father lives in a different state than the mother/child. Can you do the test even if he doesn’t live here?
Yes. We have over 220 locations nationwide and are able to easily facilitate specimen collections in other parts of the country.
Still have questions? Click here for more Q&A.
Be at Ease
Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work, including determining paternity. Your privacy is our priority. We ensure that all tests are conducted in a secure and private environment. You will own your results and can use or share them at your discretion.
Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
What Taxes & Paternity Tests Have In Common
Hey Dads! Are you giving the mother of your child financial support? If you answered yes, you should keep reading.
Tax season is right around the corner and one thing some men might overlook is the legality of claiming their children as dependents. If your name isn’t listed on the birth certificate you need to take some precautionary steps to protect yourself from this type of issue. If you are not legally listed as the father of your child, you cannot claim an exemption on your tax return.
Both parents cannot claim a child; it has to be one or the other. Some mother’s might believe that if the father supplies financial support, he can file an exemption too, but that is not the case. Finding out this information when you go to file your taxes might be a surprise, but by taking precautionary steps in advance, you can avoid the situation. In most instances fathers have to prove that they are the paternal father, which is where we can help with our paternity tests.
At ANY LAB TEST NOW® we offer two types of paternity tests, but for this situation, you’ll need the legally admissible paternity test. Test results with proper chain-of-custody can be used as evidence for circumstances where you may:
- Seek military benefits for the child
- Seek child custody or custodial/visitation rights
- Be asked to place a child up for adoption
- Add or remove your name from the birth certificate
Give us a call today if you have any questions about our paternity tests or would like to schedule an appointment. You can also check out our Paternity eBook for more information.
Paternity Doubts?
Regardless of whether you are an alleged father, mother, child or grandparent, dealing with questionable paternity brings on a rollercoaster of emotions that have an impact on your everyday life. You may feel angry or disappointed. You may feel complete confusion, or even embarrassment. The last thing you want to feel is judged.
Feeling these types of emotions is normal, especially when your relationship with your child and even other family members, partners or friends, is in question. Believe it or not, you are not alone. But, because you want the question to go away, the question running through your mind when you first make that step to know the truth is…“I just want to know.” You want the feelings and the cloud of doubt hanging over you to go away – NOW. However before making the decision to get a paternity test done, it is important to step back and approach the situation with a clear mind. What you do now may affect your, and most importantly, the child’s, future. The most important step to take before going through the test itself is to ask yourself, “Once I know…What am I ultimately going to do with the answer and test results?”.
The reason this step is so important is because there are two types of paternity tests. One type of DNA test is “informational”, also called a “peace of mind” DNA test or “self-collection kit. Although the DNA testing process is the same as for a legally-admissible paternity test, described further below, there is no chain-of-custody or identification information. As with kits purchased over-the-counter, there are also no guarantees on whose DNA is submitted if samples are not collected in front of each other. This means the test results cannot be used for any other purpose than to let you know the answer to the paternity question. That’s it – no names, no ID’s, nothing but a probability of paternity.
The most common type of paternity test is a Legally Admissible DNA Test. Remember that there are many factors that can change yours and the child’s lives after you have the test results that go beyond just knowing an answer. Will you or did you complete the Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity at the time of the child’s birth? You may need proper evidence to either add or remove your name in that case. Are you going to utilize the results to change your child’s name on their birth certificate? Will you be asking for any kind of financial benefits, such as child support? Will you be seeking child custody, social security or military benefits? Then you need paternity test results that will be accepted as legal evidence. These test results not only clear you of doubts but also help you get the aid that you, your child and your family need.
Everyone’s situation and circumstance is a bit different. Either way, it is safe to say that the process can be no fun at all. For that reason, it is important to find a partner that will make the process go as simple and stress-free as possible. Whether you need legally admissible results or you just want peace of mind, ANY LAB TEST NOW® is here to help you through this emotional time. We will guide you towards the right test for your particular situation in order for you to be able to take the necessary next steps. Best of all, you can get your results in an average of only 3 business days.
For additional information visit www.anylabtestnow.com or call your local ANY LAB TEST NOW® today! Don’t let a questionable paternity interfere with your relationships and daily life. The Truth is Waiting.
Texas Mistaken Paternity Law’s Deadline Around the Corner
Having a child is one of the most rewarding things in life. Sadly cases of mistaken paternity, where an individual is forced to take emotional and financial responsibility of a child that is not biologically theirs arise every day. In May 2011 Section 161.005 of the Texas Family Code was amended to allow any man to challenge the paternity of his child with a court admissible DNA test, regardless of how long ago he found out the child was not biologically his or had signed an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP). If test results find the man not to be the biological father of the child, the court must terminate that person’s parent child relationship as well as their child support order.
This law, however, came with a deadline of September 1st, 2012. This deadline fast approaches with only 5 days left for fathers in Texas that suspect mistaken paternity to get a court admissible DNA test. Once the deadline has passed every father that suspects mistaken paternity has a total of 12 months from the date of discovery to file their petition to terminate parental rights along with child support orders.
Mistaken paternity can be a stressful and complicated process for all involved. If there are doubts present, getting a court admissible DNA test is the best option to begin the process. ANY LAB TEST NOW® offers this test for men that find themselves in this predicament.
Entities like TexasLawHelp.org and local family attorneys can provide you with additional information and instructions for filing a Termination of Mistaken Paternity petition. For information and details about the court admissible DNA test or to find your nearest ANY LAB TEST NOW® Texas location visit https://www.anylabtestnow.com/
Got a Refund? Get a Paternity Test
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 41% of all babies are born out-of-wedlock (2009). This rate has been inching up year after year. Unfortunately, this also results in more highly-emotional relationship situations between the mother, the alleged father and even their families when it comes time to establish paternity for the child, who is ultimately affected by his or her parents’ reactions and decisions.
When a mother or father inquires about a paternity test, they most commonly state they just want to know the answer, is he or is he not the father; and they want to know quickly. Urgency is a given – these parents are dealing with so many emotions, ranging from anger to frustration to confusion to trying to decide whether or not they should bond with the baby yet. Many purchase what is called an “informational paternity test” or “self-collection kit” because it is the cheapest. Yet, is it the right test?
Here are the most common ways people ultimately use their paternity test results:
- Seek or deny child support
- Seek or deny child custody or visitation
- Seek military, health insurance or social security benefits
- Add or rescind a father’s name on the child’s birth certificate
- Adoption
This is the sad part: Parents buy the cheapest test, because it is what they can afford to answer their question. Yet, does it? No. These test results cannot be used to solve the most common ways people use paternity test results! In these instances, they must have a legally-admissible test result document – no other option.
It’s tough when you are a parent in this position; however, you have to get past the “I just want to know” and move towards what’s in the best interest of the child; how you and your family will be able to more quickly bond and develop a strong relationship with the baby when you know the answer; and relieving all of those emotions that ultimately show up when there are paternity questions.
If you didn’t have the money before, maybe now is the time. Many people will be getting their tax refunds this quarter. Consider investing in your child’s future and your peace of mind. It is a priority.
To learn more, download our free e-book, or contact your local ANY LAB TEST NOW location.
