| iv> | | | | or other tissues. The court will determine who will |
| | | | pay for the paternity test. Laboratories |
| It takes a village to raise a child is more | | | | performing paternity test should be accredited by |
| than an African proverb, and when the village is | | | | the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB). |
| small and one parent is missing the task becomes | | | | Financial Security |
| even more challenging. Fortunately, being | | | | 3. The law requires both parents support their |
| proactive and understanding your rights as a | | | | children. This is true even if the pregnancy is |
| parent will help alleviate any issues that might | | | | unplanned. Children supported by one parent often |
| arise as you take on the role of single parent. | | | | do not have enough money for their needs. A |
| Every child has the right to a parent-child | | | | child support order cannot be established if |
| relationship with both parents, and all three | | | | paternity is not proven. |
| deserve an opportunity to develop, enjoy and | | | | Survivor & other Benefits |
| grow in the relationship. | | | | 4. Medical and dental insurance may be available |
| Establishing Paternity | | | | through the non-custodial parent’s |
| 1. Every child has the right to know both parents | | | | employer, union, or military service. Medical |
| and have the father’s name appear on the | | | | assistance programs may be available through the |
| birth certificate. Voluntarily establishing paternity is | | | | local and/or state family/child assistance agencies. |
| not expensive and does not have to involve an | | | | If something should happen to either parent, the |
| attorney or attorney fees. Both parents may | | | | child could qualify for Social Security, pensions, |
| contact the State Department/Division of Vital | | | | inheritance rights, veterans’ benefits and |
| Records and Health Statistics, Central Paternity | | | | life insurance. Paternity must be established to |
| Registry, or the Department of Community | | | | receive these benefits. |
| Health and request an Affidavit of Paternity. | | | | Keep Track of Child Support Information |
| There may be a small fee for filing this document | | | | 5. It is imperative that both parents, (the custodial |
| but it will ensure legal paternity is established. | | | | and non-custodial) keep track of parent |
| Paternity Testing | | | | information, parenting time, (visitations), receipt of |
| 2. Paternity testing is a series of genetic tests | | | | child support payments, court ordered or not, |
| used to indicate the likelihood that a man is, or is | | | | names of child support workers, attorney |
| not the biological father of a child. The most | | | | contacts, names of judges/referees, docket |
| common method used today is DNA testing | | | | court numbers etc. concerning the child support |
| which are 99.9 percent accurate in determining | | | | case. Remember to keep this information in a |
| that a man is not the father. The child can be | | | | secure location and let someone you trust know |
| tested at any age, and the DNA test is obtained | | | | where this information can be found in the event |
| by rubbing a cotton tipped swab on the inside of | | | | of an emergency. |
| the check or DNA can be extracted from blood | | | | |