Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut
Child Custody
I have been living with a man for 12 years (we never married) and I gave birth to my child who is now 8. His name is on the birth certificate but I am not sure if he or my ex husband is the father. I have offered to my partner to take a DNA test but he has not done one so far. We are now separating, what rights does my partner have in reference to my child as I am planning to live outside the US with my child?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Child Custody
If your ex-significant other has his name on the child's birth certificate he can go to court and request an order of paternity. It would be up to you to object because you are not sure he is the biological father. You would of course have to be notified that he is seeking an order of paternity. However, if he does not know where you are, then you may not know he is seeking such an order. I would think that you would want to know who is your child's biological father since that person would have the responsibility of paying child support.
Re: Child Custody
Unless and until a court rules that he is the father, he has neither rights (like visitation) nor obligations (like child support) with respect to the child.
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Asked 8/08/05, 11:57 am in United States Connecticut Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody and Adoption