There are many reasons that an individual may seek, or a court may order, a DNA paternity test. The most common reasons, however, generally involve child visitation and custody rights, or obtaining and enforcing child support payments. With a court ordered paternity test, the presumed father, child, and sometimes the mother, will undergo a painless DNA test administered by a laboratory technician at a state accredited laboratory. Court ordered paternity tests will generally prove with 99% certainty that a man is a father to a child, or 100% certainty that he is not.

In the case of custody or visitation rights, a "presumed" father may seek a legal DNA paternity test to secure contact with his child. In terms of child support orders, a mother or a government agency may request a court ordered paternity test. If a man is shown with certainty to have fathered a child, he may be subject to court ordered child support payments and possibly be required to pay reimbursement to the state for medical and other expenses that have been paid for a child.

Given the highly emotional nature and legal ramifications of a legal DNA paternity test, it is advisable that the party interested in obtaining a court ordered paternity test contact a lawyer who specializes in such issues. If you are unable to afford such a lawyer, you should check your local telephone directory or look online for a legal aid clinic in your area, or contact your state's attorney general's office about providing legal assistance.

If you do not feel a need to involve the courts in answering your paternity questions, you may find that an at home DNA paternity test is more suitable. These tests have the same level of certainty as a legal DNA paternity test, but have no legal standing in courts. At home DNA test kits can be easily purchased online or over the counter.

By obtaining a court ordered paternity test you will be taking a important legal step to ascertaining the true paternity status of the presumed father. If you take this step with proper legal counsel, you should be able to move forward legally on other important matters regarding the welfare of the child in question.

M. M. Day has written numerous articles on science and technology issues. For more information about obtaining a DNA paternity test visit legal DNA paternity testing website.

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