Paternity Lawyer Services

Paternity establishes the legal father-child relationship for children born outside marriage. This legal status affects custody rights, parenting time, child support obligations, inheritance rights, and access to benefits. The Browning Law Firm provides comprehensive paternity services throughout Michigan. Michigan paternity can be established through: marriage (presumption husband is father), Affidavit of Parentage (voluntary acknowledgment signed by both parents), court order after genetic testing, or court order based on other evidence. We handle each method strategically. Unmarried fathers have no legal rights to their children until paternity is established. Many fathers voluntarily sign Affidavits of Parentage at the hospital, creating legal father-child relationships. We review these affidavits and advise on implications before signing. When paternity is disputed, genetic testing resolves biological questions with extreme accuracy. We request court-ordered DNA testing, ensure proper procedures are followed, and use results to establish or disprove paternity. Establishing paternity enables fathers to seek custody and parenting time through the courts. We help fathers pursue their parental rights after paternity is confirmed. For mothers, establishing paternity enables child support enforcement. We assist mothers in paternity actions to secure financial support for children. Challenging paternity may be appropriate when men learn they're not biological fathers. Michigan law allows paternity challenges within three years of learning relevant facts, though rules are complex. We help clients navigate paternity disestablishment carefully. Paternity also affects inheritance rights, Social Security benefits, health insurance coverage, and other important matters. We address these issues comprehensively. The Browning Law Firm provides the experienced paternity representation families need.