Chicago Paternity Lawyers

Paternity lawyers are faced with an uphill battle when they represent their clients in paternity cases. These types of cases are some of the most emotionally charged cases the family court system has seen.

The family law professionals at Buchanan Law Group are experienced in working with fathers who have been denied their paternity rights or accused of non-payment of support.

We can answer your questions honestly and accurately, no matter what time it is. If you want to learn more about our services, please feel free to give us a call. We are here to help you get through this difficult part of your life right now. Call a paternity lawyer at our Chicago office and see what we can do for you at (312) 248-6170.

What Steps Need to Be Completed to Establish Paternity?

If you are not married to the mother of your child, then there is a chance that you might have some legal hurdles to cross before establishing paternity. Establishing paternity for children who were born out of wedlock can be done through several different methods, including voluntary acknowledgment and through the courts. Mothers and fathers may voluntarily sign documents that claim that they will take full responsibility for their children. Fathers who want to establish rights must do so within a certain period of time.

If the parents cannot come to any sort of agreement by signing documents, then they may elect for DNA testing. If the mother is seeking child support, then she must file an order with the court requesting that a paternity test be performed immediately.

If you are concerned about paternity tests or having your rights as your child’s father being violated in some way, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We have several years of experience working on these types of cases, and we would like nothing more than to set your mind at ease. We are here to help you, not hurt your chances at paternity rights. Contact a family law attorney today.

Why Do I Need to Establish Paternity?

Our law firm can help you if you have been served with court papers concerning paternity. This means the mother of your child is suing you for child support, and you need to establish paternity so you can fight for visitation and custody. Establishing paternity entitles fathers to certain rights under Illinois law so there are many reasons why establishing paternity is beneficial, especially if you want to seek future custody rights in court. In fact, establishing your paternity rights and getting visitation can even eliminate your child support obligation.

If both parents agree on who the father is, then that will be sufficient in a family court case until it goes before a judge. However, in some cases, one parent decides not to cooperate, making it necessary to make an official ruling on paternity through either a voluntary acknowledgment or a DNA test.

Establishing paternity allows fathers to have more rights in regards to custody and visitation. For example, if a mother of a child moves away from Illinois while the father has been denied all visits by court order, then he can petition the court for enforcement of his existing visitation order. The benefit of establishing paternity is that it also enables men who did not know they were fathers until after their child turned 18 to file a petition to establish custody and visitation. So, if you want the courts of Chicago to recognize your rights as a child’s biological father, there is no time better than the present to call Buchanan Law Group to seek legal help today.

What Are a Father’s Rights in Chicago?

Fathers may get many benefits from establishing paternity, including child support services; the right to seek legal custody of their children; the right to visit with their children; and the right for their child to receive financial benefits such as social security and veteran’s benefits and possibly an inheritance if their parent dies without leaving a will specifying who receives what. It is important that men understand these rights so they can make informed decisions about paternity testing.

If you need help establishing paternity in Chicago, then you can turn to us here at Buchanan Law Group. We are a family law firm that specializes in paternity cases, and we will help you get the results you need to move forward with your life. Contact us today and one of our experienced lawyers will discuss your case with you and advise you on the best legal options so that no time is wasted when it comes to protecting what is rightfully yours.

How Establishing Paternity Affects Parenting Time and Parenting Plans in Illinois

For unmarried fathers in Chicago, establishing legal paternity is the essential first step, but what comes next is equally important. Once legal parentage is confirmed, Illinois law requires that parents address parenting time and parental responsibilities through a formal parenting plan that the court can approve and enforce.

A parenting plan outlines how both parents will share time with the child, how major decisions about education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities will be made, and how disputes between the parents will be resolved. Illinois courts encourage both parents to collaborate on a plan that reflects the best interests of the child, but when unmarried parents cannot agree, a judge will step in and create one based on the evidence presented.

For fathers who have recently established legal parentage, having a Chicago paternity lawyer involved in drafting the parenting plan is critical. Without experienced legal guidance, fathers risk ending up with limited parenting time or losing input on important decisions in their children’s lives. The court considers factors like each parent’s relationship with the child, the child’s adjustment to their home and community, and the willingness of each parent to facilitate a healthy relationship with the other parent.

A well-crafted parenting plan also reduces conflict down the road by setting clear expectations. If the child’s mother later attempts to restrict visitation rights or relocate with the child, having a court-approved plan in place gives fathers enforceable legal rights. At Buchanan Law Group, our Chicago family law attorneys help fathers build parenting plans that protect their role in their child’s life for the long term.

What Happens When Paternity Is Disputed by the Alleged Father or the Child’s Mother

Not every paternity case is straightforward. In many situations handled by our Chicago paternity lawyers, one parent disputes the biological connection to the child, creating legal complications that require careful navigation through the Illinois courts.

When an alleged father denies being the biological father of a child born outside of marriage, the child’s mother can petition the court to order a DNA test. Illinois law gives the court authority to compel genetic testing, and if the results confirm a biological match, the court can establish legal paternity regardless of whether the alleged father cooperates. Once paternity is established, the court will address child support payments, parental responsibilities, and parenting time.

Disputes can also come from the other direction. In some cases, a father who wants to be involved in his child’s life faces resistance from the child’s mother, who may deny he is the biological father or refuse to allow him to sign a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage. When this happens, the father can file a petition with the court to establish legal parentage through genetic testing. A favorable outcome gives him enforceable rights to custody, parenting time, and input on decisions that affect his child.

There are also situations where a man listed on a birth certificate later discovers he may not be the biological father. Illinois family law provides limited windows to challenge paternity once it has been established, making timely legal guidance from an experienced family law attorney essential.

Whether you are seeking to establish or contest paternity, the legal process can be emotionally charged and procedurally complex.

Why Should I Seek a Chicago Paternity Attorney?

There are three key reasons why you will want to retain a Chicago paternity lawyer for your case, even if you feel confident that you do not need one. First, these decisions are so important, and they can be impacted by having legal assistance during the proceedings. Second, having ethical assistance from an attorney who is not representing your interests will damage your case, and it could end up backfiring against you in the long run.

Finally, if you speak with an experienced family law attorney and they do not take your case, then it can be worth their time to provide professional advice for free because they still maintain the option to take the case later on down the road. Whether you need help with child custody, unmarried parents, sole custody, child support payments, or parental responsibilities, we’ve got all the details covered. Contact our law office at (312) 248-6170 for a free consultation with an experienced paternity lawyer in Chicago who can evaluate your situation and help you understand your legal rights.