Paternity is the judicial determination of a child's biological father.  Paternity can be established in several ways:

• Presumptive paternity - if a wife delivers a child, the law presumes her husband is the father, though this presumption may be challenged in Family Court.

• Acknowledgment of paternity- a man may sign an acknowledgment of paternity at the hospital where his child is born, or at a later date.  Once the acknowledgment of paternity is signed and filed, the father's name is on the child's birth certificate, and he is recognized as having parental rights. 

• Paternity through a court order - a presumptive father, seeking rights to his would-be child, or a mother, seeking formal acknowledgment of her baby's father, may petition the Family Court for a DNA test to determine paternity.

If you are a man seeking custody or visitation of a child, your first step may be to petition the court for an order, determining that you are the child's biological father.  You need a competent, experienced attorney to assist you in filing the necessary paperwork to secure your rights as a parent. For caring, compassionate legal advice about paternity, custody and visitation issues, contact the law offices of Bassett & Bassett, P.C.

Bassett & Bassett, P.C.
320 Carlton Avenue, Suite 4200
Central Islip, NY 11722
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Phone: 631-234-2511
Emergency (24 hour) Phone: 631-312-4439

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