Establishing Paternity to Protect Parental Rights and Responsibilities
At Feak & Revelo, LLP, our San Jose paternity attorneys understand that establishing parentage is deeply personal and legally significant. Whether you seek to confirm parental rights or clarify your responsibilities as a parent, we provide experienced, compassionate guidance through every step of the paternity process.
Paternity is more than a legal designation. It affects a child’s right to emotional and financial support and access to healthcare, inheritance, and government benefits. Establishing paternity can also impact custody rights, visitation schedules, and child support obligations for parents. These cases require thoughtful legal representation that protects the child’s best interests while advocating for our client’s rights.
Why Establishing Paternity Matters in California
In California, paternity must be legally established before a court can make custody, visitation, or child support orders involving a child born to unmarried parents. Without a legal finding of parentage, the biological father may have no legal rights or responsibilities, and the mother may not be able to obtain support.
Establishing legal paternity provides the foundation for:
Securing a father’s right to custody and visitation.
Enforcing a mother’s right to financial support.
Enabling the child to access the father’s health insurance, Social Security, and inheritance.
Providing a legal identity and family connection for the child.
Whether you are a mother seeking support, a father asserting your right to be involved, or a presumed parent facing a paternity challenge, our Santa Clara County family law attorneys provide clear, strategic advocacy to help you protect your interests and those of your child.
Voluntary vs. Court-Ordered Paternity in California
Paternity can be established voluntarily or through court action.
We assist clients in both scenarios, including:
Voluntary Declaration of Parentage
When both parents agree on paternity, they can sign a voluntary declaration—usually at the hospital when the child is born or later through a state agency. Once filed, this declaration has the same legal effect as a court order.
Paternity Lawsuits
One party may file a Petition to Establish Parental Relationship when parentage is disputed or unclear. The court may order genetic testing, review evidence, and issue legally binding findings regarding each parent’s rights and obligations.
Our Santa Clara Valley family law attorneys help clients initiate or respond to paternity actions, gather necessary documentation, and represent their interests during hearings and negotiations. Contact us today to discuss your paternity case during an initial consultation.
Legal Issues That Often Arise in California Paternity Cases
Establishing legal paternity is rarely the final step in a parentage case—it often opens the door to a series of critical legal determinations that directly affect the child’s future and each parent’s rights and responsibilities. These additional issues can become highly complex, particularly when the parents have differing views on what is in the child’s best interests or when parentage is contested.
At Feak & Revelo, LLP, we approach each paternity case with a comprehensive lens, understanding that legal recognition of parenthood brings rights and obligations. Our goal is to guide clients through the entire scope of issues that typically arise in paternity matters, ensuring clarity, stability, and enforceable outcomes that prioritize the child’s well-being while protecting our clients’ role in their lives.
The key legal matters often interwoven with California paternity actions include, but are not limited to:
Child Support: A legally recognized parent may be required to provide financial support consistent with California’s child support guidelines.
Parental Rights and Decision-Making: Parents may need to assert or defend their role in major decisions involving the child’s education, healthcare, and religious upbringing.
Contested Parentage: Disputes can arise over whether an individual is the biological or presumed parent, especially in cases involving assisted reproduction or multiple possible fathers.
Our firm takes a comprehensive approach to these interconnected issues, ensuring our clients’ complete protection throughout the paternity process.
How Feak & Revelo, LLP Supports Clients in California Paternity Actions
Paternity matters require a delicate balance of legal knowledge, strategic advocacy, and emotional understanding. At Feak & Revelo, LLP, we tailor our approach to each client’s unique situation, prioritizing the child’s best interests while protecting your rights.
We provide:
Step-by-step guidance through the paternity process.
Assistance with voluntary declarations or filing court petitions.
Legal representation in hearings and negotiations.
Coordination of genetic testing when necessary.
Advocacy in related custody and support proceedings.
Protection of parental rights for both mothers and fathers.
Whether you want to gain parenting time, seek support, or clarify legal responsibilities, we are here to provide the experienced legal guidance you need.
We Also Focus on the Following Areas in San Jose, CA:
Establishing parentage is often an emotional process. It can bring clarity, connection, and long-term security, but also introduce conflict, especially when parents disagree on roles or responsibilities. Our San Jose paternity attorneys work diligently to minimize stress and conflict, offering resolution-oriented strategies that preserve family relationships where possible.
We understand that paternity is not just about DNA. It’s about defining legal parenthood in a way that reflects the realities and responsibilities of parenting. Whether you are navigating paternity at the beginning of your child’s life or amid a complex legal dispute, we ensure your voice is heard and your rights are upheld.
Contact Our San Jose Paternity Attorneys Today
If you need to establish, dispute, or enforce paternity in California, don’t navigate this complex process alone. The outcome of a paternity case can affect your rights, your child’s future, and your family’s stability for years to come.
Contact Feak & Revelo, LLP at (408) 501-8883 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation. Our San Jose family law attorneys are ready to help you protect your rights and ensure your child receives the legal, emotional, and financial support they deserve.
Alexis helped me get through the worst time in my life and I was very grateful to have her as my attorney. She has a very approachable personality which made me feel relaxed and comfortable. Not only is she very bright, but she also genuinely cared about my case. She was always very responsive and engaged. I highly recommend her and I could not have asked for a better attorney.
Michael
I just want to say how much I appreciate Alexis and all she has done for me over the year. It felt like it was never going to end, but I'm so happy this is now finally closed out and I can move on with my life. I can't imagine having survived it without you!
Thomas
Samantha Feak was my attorney and she worked her butt off for me! I am proud to say that as of today I am finally divorced, and I couldn't have done it without her. She fought for me when I felt like I didn't have the strength to fight for myself any more, and she got it done. She made sure my divorce included a much needed restraining order to keep me safe from the physical and emotional abuse, and harassment from my ex husband. I cried tears of happiness when I got the call this morning it was finally
Natalie
I am thankful for Samantha, she is so calm yet impactful whereas I felt totally overwhelmed. I admire her abilities, and I’m very thankful for guidance in court.
Renee
Alexis was an amazing attorney in my divorce case. I had a highly litigated and contested case. She has been in my corner since the beginning, and assisted me every step of the way. I could not imagine what my situation would be like if Alexis was not leading the ship!
Ally
Samantha is the best thing to happen to my daughter and I. She helped me understand the crazy tactics of my ex and helped the court understand why I needed custody of my daughter. I am so lucky to have her as my lawyer.
Emil
Attorney Revelo is professional, thorough, and smart. She understands all the nuances of the law regarding Divorce and Separation and I am grateful she took my case. She is efficient and caring all at once. I was able to get my divorce finalized in a little over six months. She made a court date and personally oversaw the final judgement. She is trustworthy, fair, and ultra-competent. I would recommend her to anyone seeking a divorce or separation. Attorney Revelo embodies excellence in her field of law.
Rosella
From the very beginning of reaching out for a consultation I have felt so at ease, the response back from everyone is so fast and relieving. Alexis Revelo has been by my side every step of my case, I cannot say enough positive things about Alexis!! Her knowledge and compassion has made this stressful time for me a lot more manageable.
Melissa
Samantha was great to work with on my case. Her attention to detail and legal advice every step in the process helped considerably in the final six months of my case.
Brett
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