paternity

Paternity refers to the biological father of a child and, in legal contexts, to the person recognized as the father for purposes of parental rights and responsibilities. Establishing paternity can affect child support, custody and visitation, inheritance, and eligibility for social or legal benefits. Paternity may be presumed by law in certain circumstances, such as when the child is born within a married couple, or it may be proven or disputed through voluntary acknowledgment, administrative processes, or court action.

Paternity can be established in several ways. Acknowledgment of paternity by the parents, often made at the time of birth, is a voluntary and administrative method. When disputes arise or more formal determination is required, a court may establish paternity based on evidence, including genetic testing. In many jurisdictions, genetic testing is the standard for determining biological paternity.

Genetic testing for paternity uses DNA analysis to compare genetic markers between a child and potential father. Modern tests commonly examine multiple markers to produce a probability of paternity, typically exceeding 99% when a biological link is present. Tests may be ordered by a court or requested by the parties, with appropriate consent and confidentiality protections. In some contexts, other methods such as historical records or medical history may be considered, but DNA testing provides the most reliable assessment of biological relatedness.

Legal paternity and biological paternity can diverge. A man may be recognized as the legal father without proven biological relatedness, or vice versa, depending on jurisdiction and the specifics of acknowledgment, custody, inheritance, and child-support laws. Ethical considerations include privacy, informed consent for testing, and the child’s best interests.