Compassionate Paternity Resolution for Buffalo Families

Comprehensive paternity legal services in Buffalo and Western New York

At the Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis in Buffalo, our attorneys have over three decades of combined experience helping fathers and mothers establish paternity of their children. Whether you are a father seeking to be recognized legally in order to be a part of your child’s life, or you are a mother trying to establish that an individual is the father of your child, our New York family lawyers can advise you about the process and provide effective guidance throughout. 

How to establish paternity in New York

If your wife has a child during the marriage, you are assumed to be the father, with all the attendant rights and responsibilities. If you and the child’s mother are not married, you can establish paternity by signing an acknowledgement of paternity at the hospital shortly after the birth. Both you and the child’s mother must sign this document. If there are disputes about paternity and you wish to be proven to be the child’s biological father, you can file a petition with the court for an order of filiation, which calls for DNA testing of you and the child. We will assist you through all steps of the legal process. 

Considerations for unmarried and divorced couples in paternity matters

When a child is born out of wedlock, the putative father has no legal rights with respect to that child unless his paternity is established. If a couple is married at the time a child is conceived but then get divorced, New York law still presumes the man to be the father, with both the right to seek custody and the responsibility to contribute to child support. If the mother asserts that someone else fathered the child, that person will have to be shown to be the biological father by taking a paternity test. Paternity cases can be very complex. Our Buffalo family attorney will help you understand your rights and responsibilities no matter what side of the issue you are on and what outcome you hope for. 

Benefits of establishing paternity of a child 

There are several legal benefits to establishing paternity of a child. They include providing the father the right to seek custody or visitation. Children also benefit because once paternity is established, they have two parents who are responsible for supporting them financially. Children also gain inheritance rights from their father when paternity is proven. Our law firm is committed to ensuring that fathers’ rights, mothers’ rights and children’s rights under the law are upheld. We will counsel you about the steps and benefits of establishing paternity in your unique situation. 

Contact a committed lawyer for help in establishing paternity

The Law Offices of Randy S. Margulis in Buffalo provides counsel to clients in Western New York who wish to establish paternity or defend against a paternity claim. To schedule a consultation with an experienced family lawyer, call 716-886-9600 or contact us online.