How and When is DNA Testing Needed in a Paternity Dispute?

 Posted on July 21, 2022 in Family Law

When a mother gives birth to a baby, there is no dispute as to the woman’s motherhood. However, determining paternity is not as simple. There are many different reasons that paternity may be unclear. Sometimes, a woman unexpectedly gets pregnant and is unsure of who the father is. Other times, an extramarital affair leads to confusion about paternity. A father may claim that he is the child’s father even if the mother knows this is untrue. Alternatively, a mother may believe that one man is the father of her child but he denies paternity.

If you are involved in a paternity dispute, you may understandably be filled with questions. Among these questions may be the question of whether DNA testing will be used to establish paternity.

Genetic Testing to Determine Who a Child’s Father Is

When paternity is unknown or disputed, one of the only ways to find out for sure is to conduct genetic testing. By evaluating the child’s DNA and comparing it to the presumed father’s DNA, paternity can be confirmed or denied with a negligible margin of error. According to the Cleveland Clinic, DNA paternity tests are 99.9 percent accurate.

How Does DNA Testing Work?

DNA paternity testing can determine who a child’s father is, and equally as important, who a child’s father is not. Many people assume that genetic paternity testing is an invasive process, but it is actually quite simple. There are two main types of paternity tests. One requires a blood sample from the presumed father and the child. The blood samples are then evaluated in a laboratory. The other type of paternity test is a cheek swab test. A cotton swab is gently scraped on the inside of a person’s mouth to gather skin cells from the inside of the cheek. DNA from the cheek cells is analyzed in the lab to determine the biological relationship between the two people.

Contact a Wheaton Paternity Lawyer

DNA paternity testing is a valuable tool used to determine who a child’s father is. Once paternity is established, the child gains important rights, including the right to receive inheritance from the father. The child’s mother may also be able to pursue child support from the father. Furthermore, the father has the right to pursue parenting time and other parental rights.

If you are a parent and you have questions or concerns about paternity, Goostree Law Group can help. Our Wheaton family law attorneys are highly experienced in paternity disputes, child custody disputes, child support concerns, and much more. We can answer your questions and help you take the steps needed to establish paternity.

Call 630-364-4046 to set up a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=3638&ChapterID=59