More Than 105 Combined Years Of Experience At Your Side In Illinois

Illinois Paternity Attorneys Offering Representation in Paternity Disputes

​The relationship between a father and child is an important one protected by law. However, if parents are not married when a child is born, a father is not necessarily considered the “legal father” of the child. Similarly, if a mother is married when she conceives and gives birth to a child, her husband is presumed to be the legal father of the child. If you are involved in a paternity-related issue, the assistance of an experienced family law attorney can be extremely helpful, if not necessary.​ Paternity and parentage are governed by the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, which recognizes the right of every child to the physical, mental, emotional, and monetary support of their parents. At Beck & Houlihan, P.C., we pride ourselves on offering skilled representation in all family law cases. Since 2001, our firm’s attorneys have provided knowledgeable and dedicated service to our clients facing emotional and sometimes challenging family issues. Our legal team is well respected in the community for our skills both in and out of the courtroom.

How to Establish Paternity

A man is presumed to be the natural father of a child in the following situations:

  • He is married to the child’s mother when the child is born or conceived.
  • He marries the child’s mother after the child is born, and he is named on the birth certificate.
  • He and the child’s mother have signed an acknowledgment of paternity.
  • He and the child’s mother have signed a voluntary acknowledgment of parentage/paternity (which contains the Social Security numbers of both parents).

An action to determine paternity may be brought by a child, mother, any man who alleges that he is the father of the child, or any person that has parenting time or provides financial support for a child. A father can also file a petition in court to establish paternity, whereby the judge can order parenting time and child support. In addition, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS, formerly the Department of Public Aid) may also make administrative determinations of paternity or establish paternity through the courts. If an alleged father, after having been served with a notice by the HFS, does not attend the administrative interview, HFS may declare him to be the legal father by default.

​Associated Obligations and Rights

​Paternity established in accordance with these procedures serves as a basis for seeking a child support order. It can also serve as the basis for the establishment of a parenting plan. When you are established as a child’s father, you are able to enjoy all of the rights associated with parentage, including parenting time and contribution to decision-making. You are also responsible for financial support until the child is at least 18 years old, regardless of the provisions of a parenting plan.

The Assistance of an Experienced Family Law Attorney

Proceedings to establish paternity can be confusing, particularly if a father is seeking a paternity determination but has not registered with the Putative Father Registry and too much time has passed since his child’s birth. In addition, fathers can lose their rights to decision-making and parenting time if the mother of a child claims that the father is a danger to the child. These cases are difficult, if not impossible, to handle without an experienced family law attorney on your side. The dedicated attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C., in Wheaton, understand the stress and concern associated with these issues. We carefully approach Illinois family law matters with years of experience in both litigation and mediation. Contact us at 630-398-3185. We represent individuals in DuPage, Kane, Cook, Kendall and Will counties.