Right To Know

[Family_Matters]

My jurisdiction is: Illinois

My son's ex-girlfriend just got married. She is pregnant and there is a possibility the baby is my son's. The ex-girlfriend and her husband said they refuse to have a paternity test done and the baby will have her husband's last name. My son wants to know if the child is his. Can he legally require that a paternity test be done and pursue joint custody rights, visitation and child support if the child is his?

 

[irish223]

Yes, he can. He may be able to file now, or he may have to wait until the child is born, since paternity cannot be established until after birth.

If it is determined that he is the father, the birth certificate can be amended and the name changed. He can file for custody/visitation after paternity is established.

He may want to register on the Putative Fathers Registry, and he should consider retaining a lawyer.

 

[Duranie]

He needs to look up his states putative fathers registry if there is one and sign up for it.