Waco Paternity Lawyer

Our paternity attorneys represent women and men through the paternity process in Waco family courts. Paternity is the legal determination of whether someone is the biological father of a child. Since 1925, our law firm has been serving families like yours in their most important family law cases. Let us help your family too. If you are a mother seeking to prove your child’s paternity or a man seeking to establish or dispute paternity, please call Dunnam & Dunnam today at 254-753-6437 to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.

Establishing Paternity in Texas

Legally establishing paternity, either through agreement or DNA testing, enables the family law courts to address critical issues such as child custody, child support, and visitation in cases where a child is born to unmarried couples or where actual paternity is in doubt.

Not only can the mother or probable father file a suit to determine paternity, but the child (or representative of the child) or a government agency may pursue such action. Paternity suits may be brought before the child is born and up to two years after the child reaches legal adulthood at 18. The costs of filing a paternity suit and the necessary testing are usually divided between both parties, although a judge can rule otherwise.

Presumed Fathers in Texas

Under Texas law, when a child is conceived in or born into a marriage, the husband is presumed to be the legal and actual father. A paternity suit can be brought by another man who believes he is the biological father to establish paternity and ensure his parental rights.

A husband may also contest the paternity of a child conceived or born in marriage, although success in these cases requires overcoming a legal presumption of fatherhood. 

Hire a Waco Paternity Lawyer 

To discuss your case’s specifics with an experienced Texas paternity lawyer, contact one of our Waco paternity lawyers at 254-753-6437.

Hire a Waco Paternity Attorney