Paternity is generally tied to fathers' child custody and visitation rights. This makes sense because paternity legal establishes a father to the child. However, establishing paternity is important for both a mother and a father when protecting their child custody rights. It is also very important for the child. Here are some ways that paternity benefits a father, mother and child and helps them with their custody rights.

Let's start with the child. Any child custody laws are based on what is best for the child when the parents separate. Paternity is an important part of this because it names another person as a responsible parent to the child. A child deserves and has the right to grow up being cared for financially, physically, emotionally, and otherwise. Establishing paternity in a case where the father isn't around is vital for children so they can be taken care of. In fact, this is basically why paternity laws are in place--so fathers are legally bound to take care of their children. Paternity also benefits the child because fathers are important in the development and growth of the children. It also allows the child to know their heritage and can provide important information about medial history.

Paternity benefits mothers because they are usually the ones who raise a child if the father isn't around or known. Raising a child is difficult in many ways. There are a lot of financial costs, emotional challenges, and other trials for a mother. She really shouldn't be left alone to provide everything for the child and she has the right to have the father help. Paternity laws help the mother because once the father is known he is legally responsible for the child. He will be required to pay child support and provide in other ways. It is also beneficial for a mother to have her child's father involved in the child's life. The father can help with discipline problems, schoolwork, extra activities, and the overall well being of the family life.

Fathers also benefit from paternity. The majority of fathers want the best for their children, and they also want to know if they are the father to a child. They are more then willing to provide for the children and to be involved in the children's lives. It's unfortunate when paternity is portrayed only as the father being required to give money to the child's mother. It is more than that. Once paternity has been established, the father has the opportunity to visit the child, be part of the child's life, and to have the full custody rights of a dad. A father fulfills an important role for children that is hard to replace. The father also has the right to know that his child is being raised correctly and can seek custody if he wants. He also has the privilege of helping his child grow into an adult.

Paternity laws vary from state to state. If you are a mother or father who is trying to get paternity established, look into the local laws. Usually a parent can file a paternity suit and the father takes a DNA test. If the test matches him with the child he is granted paternity and the parents can go from there.

Find out more information about paternity and discover how Custody X Change can help you protect your child custody rights.

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