Paternity Attorneys

Parentage Lawyers Working with Clients in Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Lisle, and the Surrounding Areas

Paternity refers to the legal relationship between a father and his child. In Illinois, if a mother is married at the time her child is conceived/born, her then-husband is legally presumed to be the child's father. However, this is a rebuttable presumption. In cases where a child's parents are not married at the time of conception/birth, paternity must be legally established prior to adding the father's name to the child's birth certificate.

If you are attempting to establish paternity in the State of Illinois, our experienced paternity attorneys at Nigohosian & Dahlquist, P.C. can assist you. We will take the time to thoroughly review your case and advise you as to all of your legal options given your situation.

Establishing Paternity in Illinois

Establishing paternity in Illinois is a fairly straightforward process. The easiest way to establish paternity is for both parents to complete and sign a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity Form (VAP). This form can be completed at the hospital where the child is born and requires personal information about the child, mother, and father. Additionally, a witness must be present when both parents sign the form. A VAP may also be completed at any time following a child's birth to unmarried parents.

Paternity may also be established in one of the following alternative ways:

• Via Administrative Paternity Order entered by the State of Illinois Department of Healthcare Family Services; or
• Via an Order of Paternity entered by the court.

Benefits of Establishing Paternity in Illinois

Establishing paternity in Illinois can be beneficial to both the parents and the child. Paternity protects both the parents' and the child's legal rights and helps to safeguard the child's future benefits, including social security, inheritance, and medical insurance benefits. Establishing paternity also legally safeguards the father-child relationship and allows for the father's name to be added to the child's birth certificate.

Contact a Wheaton Paternity Lawyer Today

The experienced paternity lawyers at Nigohosian & Dahlquist, P.C. can discuss your paternity case with you and assist you with taking the necessary actions required by Illinois law.

Our paternity attorneys represent clients in Glen Ellyn, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Lisle, Darien, Naperville, and the surrounding areas. We also assist clients in Kane, Kendall, Will, and Cook Counties with establishing paternity and resolving paternity disputes. To schedule a consultation with one of our paternity attorneys, call 630-462-0610 or contact us online.