Orland Park, IL Paternity Lawyers

Compassionate Lawyers Helping Black Parents and Families Establish Paternity in Orland Park, Illinois

There are a variety of different legal issues that may affect parents, children, and other family members. Family law concerns may be addressed through the legal system, and parents may need to put child custody and child support orders in place that will allow them to meet their children's ongoing needs. However, before these legal concerns can be addressed, paternity may need to be established. By understanding when this may be necessary and what steps need to be followed, parents can make sure they will be prepared to address family law matters.

The experienced team at The Foray Hurst Firm places a high level of importance on family relationships. We understand the challenges that parents may face when taking steps to establish parentage for a child and address other legal and financial concerns. Our firm regularly works with both mothers and fathers to create legal parent-child relationships that benefit everyone involved.

We also know the issues that Black families may need to address as they take steps to resolve disputes about child custody and put workable plans in place. Many Black parents are unmarried, which can create complications when parents choose to separate. Black single mothers may need to establish paternity in order to collect child support, and Black fathers may need to ensure that their fathers' rights will be protected. We can help our clients determine the best approach to take, and we will always focus on protecting the best interests of children.

Understanding the Law

According to Illinois law, when a married woman gives birth to a child, her spouse is presumed to be the child's other parent, regardless of the spouse's gender. When a child is born to an unmarried woman, however, things are more complicated, and additional steps are needed to establish parentage.

In Illinois, paternity can be established by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity form. Both parents will need to sign this form, and they can do so at any time after the child's birth. Paternity can also be established by a court or administrative order. In these cases, DNA testing may be performed to verify the biological link between the child and the father. Once a paternity order is issued, the father will be recognized as the child's legal parent.

Why Paternity Matters

Until paternity is established, a man will have no rights or responsibilities regarding his child. This means that he cannot ask for parenting time (visitation) or any share of parental responsibilities (child custody). He also cannot be required to pay child support.

At The Foray Hurst Firm, we understand children often fare best when both parents are involved in their lives. We represent mothers who are looking to establish paternity so that they can obtain the child support needed to cover the expenses of raising their children. Raising a child alone can be extremely difficult, and we are committed to helping mothers get the resources they need.

Our firm also works with fathers who want to make sure they can play important roles in the lives of their children. Establishing paternity gives a father the legal standing to ask for parental responsibilities so that he can help make decisions about how his child will be raised. A father can also take steps to establish a child custody order that will provide him with a reasonable amount of parenting time with his child. A child's legal father also has the right to contest adoption proceedings and, in some cases, relocation efforts by the other parent.

Establishing paternity can also provide benefits for the child. They will be able to receive an inheritance from their father, and they will be able to access family medical history when necessary. The child may also be eligible for benefits through their father, including Social Security, veterans' benefits, or insurance coverage.

Serving All Types of Illinois Families

At The Foray Hurst Firm, we are committed to providing responsible, cost-effective representation for families of all types. We know that complex paternity issues can arise regardless of the race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation of parents or children. Our team is especially sensitive to the needs of African-American, Latino, and LGBTQ+ families. By addressing the unique concerns that may affect our clients, we can help ensure that parents will be able to provide for their children's needs while protecting their best interests.

Contact Our Orland Park Paternity Lawyers

With our understanding of the laws that affect child custody and child support in Illinois, the lawyers at The Foray Hurst Firm can make sure paternity will be established correctly and that other family law matters can be addressed. To get legal help with these issues, contact our Orland Park, IL parentage attorneys at 312-702-1293 and arrange a confidential consultation today. We will meet with you to discuss your situation and help you explore all of your available options.