Paternity
A paternity action is a proceeding to establish the father of a child born out of wedlock. Once paternity is established, the court will determine the custody arrangements of the child, parenting time, child support, and whether or not to change the child’s last name to that of the father. In some cases, if it is in the best interest of the child, the father may be awarded primary physical custody. In the past, paternity actions were usually initiated by the mother to collect child support. Today fathers are just as likely to contact a lawyer to establish their paternal rights. In Indiana, the father can sign a paternity affidavit at a hospital when the child is born. If paternity is contested, the parties can request or the court can order DNA testing. Even if a paternity affidavit is signed by the father it is still suggested that the father establish his rights to the child through the courts, so that there is a court order giving him credit for paying support and determining which parent is to have the child at a particular time.