Oklahoma City Paternity Lawyer
Understanding Paternity Law in Oklahoma: A Comprehensive Guide
At Lai & Turner Law Firm, PLLC, we understand how crucial paternity issues can be for both parents and children. Whether you are a father striving to establish your parental rights or a mother seeking support for your child, understanding paternity law in Oklahoma is essential. With hundreds of 5-star reviews, we take pride in being known as "The People's Attorney," dedicated to offering exceptional legal services. Family law specialists Eric Strocen and Mick McCarthy personally oversee our paternity cases, bringing their combined courtroom experience to protect client rights.
Facing a Paternity Issue in Oklahoma? Call Now!
Are you dealing with a paternity matter? Our experienced attorneys are here to help you. Call us now at 405-369-5643 to see if you qualify for our uninterrupted VIP Strategy Session with one of our experienced family law attorneys. Take the first step toward securing your rights—schedule your free discovery call today!
Why Is Establishing Paternity So Important?
Paternity is more than just confirming biological parentage—it defines the legal rights and responsibilities of fathers and provides crucial support and benefits for the child. Establishing paternity grants fathers rights like custody, visitation, and decision-making authority. For children, it opens the door to vital resources, including:
- Financial support from both parents
- Access to health insurance
- Social Security and inheritance rights
- Insight into their father’s medical history for healthcare purposes
In Oklahoma, unmarried fathers cannot claim their rights or participate in their child's life without legal paternity. Let us help you through this important process.
How Is Paternity Established in Oklahoma?
There are several methods to establish paternity, and we at Lai & Turner Law Firm are here to assist you in determining the best path forward. These include:
- Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP): A voluntary process where both parents sign a legal document. This simple process places the father’s name on the birth certificate.
- Presumption of Paternity: If a man is married to the child’s mother at the time of birth, Oklahoma law automatically presumes him to be the father.
- Court-Ordered Paternity Testing: If paternity is disputed, we can guide you through the court process to resolve the matter through genetic testing.
- Default Judgment: If the alleged father does not respond to a court order, a default judgment may be issued, determining paternity in his absence.
Contesting Paternity? We’re Here to Help
Sometimes, paternity may need to be contested due to doubts or errors in the legal determination. Whether you’re a father disputing paternity or a mother looking to challenge a previous determination, it’s important to act quickly. Contact our team for guidance and a free discovery call to explore your legal options.
The Value of Confirmed Paternity
There are many reasons and situations when knowing the paternity of a child is very important and a good Oklahoma City, OK paternity lawyer can explain its implications and help to guide you through the process of identifying the father. The experienced paternity lawyers at Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC have been in the business of helping families since 2022 and are committed to protecting the rights of parents and the well-being of children. Contact us today to find out how we may be able to protect you and your child’s rights and their sense of identity.
Paternity Testing
In Oklahoma, it is presumed that when a married woman gives birth to a child, the husband is the child’s father but when a woman in Oklahoma is not married and gives birth, there is no legal presumption as to who the father is. There are situations that warrant a paternity test that analyses DNA from a child and its alleged father to find out who the biological father of a child is. A paternity test can be valuable when a father or mother does not know for sure who the biological father is or when a man does not believe that he is the biological father of a child that someone is claiming to be his. If you need help in determining the biological father of a child a good Oklahoma City paternity lawyer can help you with this process.
Reasons To Determine Paternity
There are a few important reasons that warrant the need to determine the paternity of a child. When paternity is established, the custodial parent has the right to seek child support from the non-custodial parent. It also provides a legal foundation for deciding who will be the custodial parent and visitation rights for the non-custodial parent. When a child their mother knows who the child’s biological father allows them access to the father’s medical history which can be critical for understanding a child’s health and well-being as they grow up. There are many positive emotional and psychological benefits for a child who knows who their father is as knowing this can help them to understand their identity and place in the world.
Establishing Paternity
In Oklahoma, if a man and a woman agree that the man is the father of the woman’s child, they can sign a voluntary acknowledgment that legally establishes the identity of a child’s father. When paternity is uncertain or disputed, genetic testing is used to determine who a child’s biological father is. If the alleged father does not agree to voluntarily participate in genetic testing, a good Oklahoma City paternity lawyer can help to get a court order for him to comply with the request.
If you are having paternity issues that you need help with solving, contact the compassionate and skilled team at Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC today.
Why Establishing Paternity Matters for Fathers
Establishing paternity secures a father's legal rights in Oklahoma. Without it, unmarried fathers have no automatic claim to custody, visitation, or decision-making authority. Once paternity is established, you can pursue:
- Custody: Seek joint or sole custody based on the child’s best interests.
- Visitation: Facilitate meaningful time with your child.
- Decision-Making Authority: Play an active role in decisions about your child’s education, healthcare, and welfare.
Beyond the legal advantages, establishing paternity fosters a stronger emotional connection, allowing fathers to build lasting bonds with their children.
Call Lai & Turner Law Firm Now for a Free Discovery Call!
If you're facing a paternity issue in Oklahoma, Lai & Turner Law Firm, PLLC is here to help. Contact us at 405-591-5233 to see if you qualify for our uninterrupted VIP Strategy Session with one of our attorneys. Let us help you protect your parental rights and guide you through the complexities of paternity law. Alternatively, visit our office at 2000 N. Classen Blvd. STE 230, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106, or fill out our online form, and a team member will be in touch.