Franklin County Paternity Lawyer

Why Establishing Paternity Matters in a Family Law Case

When unmarried parents have a child, establishing paternity is an essential part of many family law matters. A Franklin County paternity lawyer can help you legally establish paternity to take on the rights and responsibilities of a father. 

A paternity case can involve a voluntary acknowledgement between both parents or a court process if there is conflict over paternity. Both of these routes for establishing paternity require adhering to Washington’s paternity laws and court proceedings. If you hire a paternity lawyer, they can explain each step of this process and the various methods the court may use to resolve your paternity case. 

Paternity is required for many other types of family law cases to move forward, including child custody, parenting plans, and child support payments. A lawyer can explain your legal rights to custody and visitation and your responsibilities going forward.

Why You Should Hire a Paternity Lawyer

From 2020 to 2025, 414,481 babies were born in Washington. Many of these children were born without a verified father on record. If a father voluntarily acknowledges paternity at the birth or thereafter, they do not need additional court procedures to establish paternity. However, some fathers feel the need to legally validate their paternity. A Franklin County paternity attorney can explain the steps you must take to establish paternity. 

Reach Out to Chvatal King Cantu for Guidance

At Chvatal King Cantu, we have over 35 years of experience in family law issues. We can help you establish paternity and can then assist with other family law matters, such as child custody, that can divide parenting responsibilities between both parents.Contact us today to learn how experienced legal guidance can make a difference in your paternity case.