attorney who will help me fight a paternity case

Understanding Paternity Laws

Paternity cases are extremely important, especially when they can influence matters of child custody or child support. At the Johnson Law Firm, we understand how stressful these cases can be. However, we will take the time to make sure you understand all of details of your paternity case from beginning to end.

Paternity Testing

From a legal aspect, DNA testing has proven to be a very useful tool in family law cases where paternity is in question. Upon being asked to take a DNA test, both the child and assumed father will be required to provide a DNA sample, typically in the form of a cheek swab.

When is Paternity Testing Necessary?

Most often, paternity testing is required when an assumed father is contesting his relationship to a child in order to avoid paying child support. If you have reason to question your relationship to a child that you’re being compelled to pay child support for, you have the right to request a paternity test.

When to Call a Fathers Rights Attorney

Paternity cases are not always opened when a man contests that he is the father of a child. In other cases, the opposite is true. There are times when a child’s rightful father is denied custody.

Florian Tabaku

Clients looking for a dedicated, hard-working, thorough, and tough advocate that offers personalized attention for their unique case should ask for Florian. When Flo handles your case, expect professional, responsive, and proactive representation that gets results.

Zachery Groves

For your domestic case, the buck stops with Zack Groves. Zack's priority is to maintain your family and quality of life, no matter what your case entails, with individualized representation.

Timothy Sutton

Timothy's current clients on domestic litigation leverage his nearly 20 years' experience litigating in state, federal, and administrative courts throughout Maryland. Work with Timothy if you want a legal ally who can truly connect with you and your case to achieve your desired outcome.

Getting the right lawyer is easy

Every case deserves the personal attention of a licensed legal professional. That’s why we offer a free initial consultation to any Marylander who needs it.

Proudly serving the Beaufort community for three generations

We bring over 25 years of experience to your case and will work patiently and tirelessly to bring you peace of mind.

Book a Consultation

If you find yourself in need of Family Law representation, don’t wait another day to reach out and set up a consultation. Put the experienced team at Fender Law Firm on your side to help reach your goals. Call 843-379-4888 right now, or fill out the form below.

Establishing Paternity in North Carolina

The State of North Carolina has four means of establishing paternity, including:

The Benefits of Establishing Paternity

There are many important reasons to establish paternity of your child. First of all, you want your child to form a bond with both of his or her parents. Additionally, your child can be denied inheritance rights and benefits stemming from the father if his or her paternity is not legally recognized.

What is paternity court?

A paternity case is a lawsuit that requires filing of certain paperwork (pleadings) with the court, payment of a filing fee, formal delivery of the pleadings to the other party (service) and following the court process to the end of the case (Order of Filiation/Paternity and Order for Custody, Support and Parenting Time).

What is the court order for paternity?

is the legal father. The court order determining paternity is called an Order of Filiation or Order of Paternity.

What is an affidavit of parentage?

An Affidavit of Parentage is a legal agreement making the man who signs it the legal father. Once there is a signed Affidavit of Parentage, either the mother or legal father may file a Custody Case with the court asking for custody, child support and parenting time. By filing a Paternity Case. Either the mother, the man who believes he is ...

How much does it cost to file a paternity case?

The court filing fees for a paternity case filed by the mother are currently $255 . There is no filing fee when a man who believes he is the father of a child files a paternity case or when the prosecutor brings a paternity case. There is a $20 filing fee for a Motion for Genetic Testing if filed by the mother.

What happens if there is no father?

If there is no legal father, the state will begin a Paternity Case. The case is filed by the Prosecutor but filed in the mother’s name to have the court enter a paternity and child support order.

How to become a father?

There are two ways to become the legal father: 1 By signing an Affidavit of Parentage. An Affidavit of Parentage is a legal agreement making the man who signs it the legal father. Once there is a signed Affidavit of Parentage, either the mother or legal father may file a Custody Case with the court asking for custody, child support and parenting time. 2 By filing a Paternity Case. Either the mother, the man who believes he is the father or the state, if the mother or child receives public benefits, can file a Paternity Case with the court asking that the man named in the case be declared the legal father. In a Paternity Case either the man can agree that he is the legal father or DNA test results will be used. Custody, child support and parenting time can be decided in a Paternity Case.