Honolulu Paternity Lawyers

Legally Establishing Paternity on Oahu and the Neighboring Islands

While the overall birth rate in the United States is declining, an increasing number of babies are born to single parents. When a Hawaii baby is born to a single mother, the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) may get involved to establish paternity where public benefits are being paid for the child. If the father is unknown, CSEA could order DNA tests from the men the mother noted as potential fathers to determine paternity. After this, the father will receive an order to pay due child support. The father may choose to pursue conversations about receiving custody or visitation rights. If public benefits are not being paid, then such a "private case" can be started by either of the parents.

Our lawyers can help you establish paternity and become eligible for government assistance. Call us today to get started: (808) 518-6376.

Hawaii Child Custody: Unmarried Parents

Paternity and the Father

When the parents of a child are not married upon the birth of their child, establishing and proving paternity is necessary for the father to be granted the right to visit his child. Paternity establishment helps the father by:

• Granting him the right to fight for custody
• Allowing him visitation
• Potentially changing the baby’s name to include the father’s last name

Paternity grants the father his right to play a role in his child’s life beyond his financial support. It allows the father to become a dad.

Paternity and the Mother

Proving paternity of a child’s father before a court also helps the mother by granting her necessary assistance. Having paternity established helps the mother by:

• Getting financial help through child support
• Reimbursing pregnancy and birth expenses
• Becoming eligible for other government support

Mothers are protected in paternity cases as it grants them the child support and potential government assistance they may need to give the child the life they deserve and the care they need.

Paternity and the Child

Of course, the child also stands to benefit from establishing paternity before the court. After proving paternity, the child gains certain rights and privileges.

The child’s benefits include:

• Financial support from both parents
• Inheritance from both parents
• Receipt of any benefits granted to either parent
• Emotional benefit of knowing both parents

Paternity stands to protect both child and parents alike. Beyond being required for assistance applications in Hawaii, it is a service that benefits all involved. Our attorneys are available in Oahu and neighboring islands to assist in paternity proceedings.

Call one of our Honolulu paternity attorneys for assistance establishing paternity call (808) 518-6376.