Boston Barrister
Massachusetts Paternity Laws Explained: DNA Testing, Birth Certificates & Child Support – EP43
How do you establish paternity in Massachusetts is a common question for unmarried parents who want to protect their legal rights. In this video, I explain the different ways paternity can be established, why it matters for child custody and parenting time, and how child support may be affected. Understanding the legal process can help parents make informed decisions for themselves and their children. Here is what you’ll learn: • How to establish paternity in Massachusetts • The difference between an Acknowledgment of Paternity and DNA testing • Why establishing paternity affects parenting time and child support • When it may be beneficial to work with a Massachusetts family law attorney CONNECT WITH US ▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀▀ Website: https://kevinseaverlaw.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawOfficeOfKevinPatrickSeaver/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawofficeofkevinseaver/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-law-office-of-kevin-patrick-seaver/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvt_ckAv7fDcHw1Rb4sVV0Q/featured TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@attorneykevinseaver Disclaimer This video is not intended as legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a lawyer regarding your legal issue. Since 1991 Boston attorney Kevin Patrick Seaver has specialized in family law, including divorce and fighting false child abuse allegations and getting DCF cases closed once and for all. Giving parents freedom and happiness. 617-263-2633 kevin@kevinseaver.com Kevinseaverlaw.com Keywords: how to establish paternity in Massachusetts, paternity Massachusetts, acknowledgment of paternity Massachusetts, DNA paternity test Massachusetts, child support Massachusetts, parenting rights Massachusetts, family law Massachusetts, paternity lawyer Massachusetts #Paternity #MassachusettsFamilyLaw #FamilyLaw #MassachusettsLaw #ChildSupport #ParentingRights #DNATesting #AttorneyKevinSeaver #BostonLawyer #KnowYourRights #LegalAdvice #PaternityCase #ChildCustody #ProbateCourt #Massachusetts Transcript: I recently had a client by the name of Ricardo. And Ricardo, now this real name for privacy and confidentiality, asked me some questions. And he was not married. And he had a child with a woman, not unusual. Now there’s two different types of circumstances. There’s a case where you’ve got a married couple and a child’s born. And then you’ve got a situation where a client such as Ricardo is not married. So Ricardo has a child called child born out of wedlock. And Ricardo wants to establish paternity because he wants to see his child. And so Ricardo wanted to know how does he go about establishing that he is the father. How does Ricardo get his name on the bridge of it? A couple of different ways. Number one, he can do it by an acknowledgement of paternity by the mother. And he does the same. And you go to court and you get it acknowledged. The second way to do it is you have a motion to order paternity testing and you have paternity testing done by a licensed place that will do the DNA testing of you as well as the child. And then when that test comes back, you get to know whether or not you are or are not the father. Now, why would I want to have my name on the birth certificate, Ricardo? Ricardo asked me, why would I want my name on the birth certificate? Well, when you have a child born out of wedlock, there is no premise or suggestion that you are the father. So you want to establish that so that you can have the benefits of visiting with your child and establishing visitation through the courts if necessary. But you also have the burden of playing what’s called, you also have the burden of paying child support. And what is child support? Child support is to support your child. And that can be ordered by the court or they can go through Department of Revenue. I suggest that you stipulate out and work with the other parent on a reasonable child support. Make sure it’s within the guidelines. But if you happen to go into court, the judge will acknowledge that. But everything you can do, you should work it out, not going and utilizing the courts, but do it without using the courts. Therefore, it doesn’t going to cost you hiring a lawyer. Can you do it yourself? Ricardo asked me, can I do this on my own? You can go and do the DNA testing and file the motions on your own. Just remember though, sometimes when you make a mistake, it costs more money in the long run than it does hire a lawyer. Just think about that. I always suggest to clients, do I need a lawyer to do paternity testing? You should. The reason being there’s some complicated things you need to fill out. I want to make sure all the documents are correct and you’re going to go in front of a judge and talk to a judge. Some people are comfortable with that. Others are not. It’s all depends on your comfort level. I would suggest, unless you’re going to the small claims court, hire yourself a lawyer to do what you do not know as a layperson how to do it. It’s that simple. You make a mistake, you’re back to square one.
