How Long Does A Father Have To Establish Paternity In Mississippi?
Establishing paternity is an important step in fathers' getting parental rights. Having paternity established can also be important for mothers who are hoping to receive child support.
Establishing paternity can be a complex process, especially if you are unmarried. A legal process must be followed for paternity to be recognized by the court and receive the full benefits of paternity in Mississippi.
When it comes to legal proceedings involving your family, it’s important to be as prepared as possible. A family law attorney can help represent your rights and needs in family court.
Jason Campbell is a local family law attorney serving Mississippi parents.
Contact Campbell Law today to learn more about how we may be able to help you through the process of establishing paternity through the Mississippi court system.
Establishing Paternity in Mississippi
If you are married when a child is born, paternity is always assumed. The husband, when the time a child is born, is always viewed as the “legal father” unless proven otherwise.
For unmarried parents, a legal process must be followed to establish paternity legally. In most cases, the father will sign an acknowledgment that they’re the father and register with the putative father registry.
You will have to take a paternity test in Mississippi in order to establish paternity for unmarried parents.
What Does Establishing Paternity Mean?
Establishing legal paternity is the first step in getting parental rights. If you want to have the legal right to see your child and be involved in the decision-making in their life, you have to establish your paternity.
Paternity establishes child support rights and obligations and is a step towards establishing visitation rights. Without paternity, the father isn’t obligated to pay child support or right to visitation.
How Long Do You Have To Establish Paternity?
In Mississippi, an acknowledgment of paternity can be signed at any time until the child turns 21 unless the child is emancipated.
Filing for paternity with the legal obligation for child support or the obligation of the child for visitation must be done before a child turns 18. Child support and visitation are no longer used after a child turns 18.
Start The Process of Establishing Paternity Today
Establishing paternity is an important step in your ability to be involved in your child’s life. Without legally established paternity, you don’t have any right to see or spend time with your child.
The legal paternity process can take a long time to complete in Mississippi. It’s recommended that you start the paternity process as soon as possible.
A family law attorney can work with you to help you through the paternity process. After paternity is established, there may be more legal proceedings involving child support or visitation rights.
Contact Jason Campbell today to learn more about paternity and how we can help you fight for your needs and rights.
Jason E. Campbell
Attorney
Attorney Jason E. Campbell was born and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, and serves clients in the northern and central Mississippi areas with divorce, custody, criminal, and personal injury legal services. A graduate of Delta State University and Florida Coastal School of Law, Jason is dedicated to helping his clients throughout the legal process with compassion and determination.
Campbell Law Firm, P.A.
