How Can I Challenge Paternity in DuPage County?

 Posted on August 24, 2023 in Family Law

If you believe that you are not the child’s biological father, you may be able to challenge paternity in DuPage County. Paternity is the legal relationship between a father and his child. When paternity is established, the father has certain legal rights and responsibilities to the child, such as the right to child support and visitation.

There are two ways to challenge paternity in DuPage County:

• You can file a petition to deny paternity. This is a legal document that you file with the court. In your petition, you will need to state your reasons for challenging paternity. You may also need to provide evidence to support your claims.

• Filing a motion to reopen a paternity case. If you believe that there is new evidence that could change the outcome of a previous paternity case you can present it to the court.

To avoid being overwhelmed by the legal complexities of challenging paternity, it is important to have a compassionate Illinois attorney on your side.

When Should a Father Challenge Paternity?

The legal time limit for challenging paternity in DuPage County is two years from the date an alleged father had or should have had cause to question paternity. Some of the factors that a father should consider when deciding whether or not to challenge paternity:

• The strength of his evidence

• The potential consequences of challenging paternity

• The best interests of the child

What are Some Reasons to Challenge Paternity?

Here are some of the reasons why you might want to challenge paternity:

• You believe that you are not the biological father of the child

• You were not married to the child's mother at the time of the child's birth

• You were coerced or tricked into signing a paternity acknowledgment

• The child's mother has committed paternity fraud

When challenging paternity based on a belief that you are not the biological father, you will need to provide DNA test results to support your claim. Some of the evidence that you may need includes:

• DNA test results

• Witness testimony

• Medical records

• Financial records

• Other documentation that supports your claim

If you do intend to challenge paternity, it is important to speak with an experienced family law attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and can represent you in court.

Contact a DuPage County Paternity Lawyer

The legal process for challenging paternity can be complex. It is important to have an experienced Wheaton, IL, family law attorney to help you through the process. An attorney from the Andrew Cores Family Law Group can help you gather evidence, file the necessary paperwork, and represent you in court. Call 630-871-1002 today for a free consultation.