Paternity Action and DNA Testing Austin DNA Paternity Testing Law Firm At the law offices of Evans & Peek, LLP, we are attorneys that help individuals with paternity testing issues and in establishing paternity. Without establishing paternity, legally a child may not have a "parent". Often times a child may have a parent who is resumed by law to be the parent, but only a legal action to establish paternity and condct a DNA test will determine this for certain. Paternity gives the child a legal identity and important family health history and also confers the benefits of child support and public assistance on the custodial parent of that child. Depending on the circumstances, our paternity testing attorneys represent mothers, fathers and children in the establishment of paternity and in paternity actions in family court. Austin Paternity Testing Lawyer Sometimes, the question of who the father of a child is not easily determined, particularly when the parents of the child are not legally married. Paternity is extremely important because once paternity is acknowledged or established by a court proceeding, becayse paternity determines who will be obligated for child support as well as who will have parental rights (such as visitation, custody, decisons related to healthcare and education) to the child. That is why it is so important to have paternity established by the family court as early in the child's life as possible. This process can be relatively simple, as a court may order the alleged father to submit to a paternity test, which usually involves DNA paternity testing. Additionally, we serve mothers and fathers alike who seek to challenge paternity or otherwise revoke their prior acknowledgement of paternity. We understand the complexity and emotional difficulties involved in trying to establish paternity either with or without the cooperation of the other parent. We are here to help you determine paternity and the subsequent obligations and parental rights in regard to the custody and support of your child.