PATERNITY is the action filed to establish the parent-child relationship between child and dad. Many times nowadays the State presents an Acknowledgement of Paternity (AOP) to parents at the hospital when the child is born. It is crucially important that dads understand what they are signing. A valid Acknowledgment of Paternity will establish the legal relationship between dad and child without the formal filing of a paternity action. It establishes the rights and obligations of dad, however, it fails to establish custody, visitation or support for the child. See the SAPCR section of my website to understand more about what happens after a dad signs such an acknowledgement. In short, if an Acknowledgment of Paternity was not signed at the hospital upon the birth of the child, then a Paternity action will need to be filed in court to establish the legal relationship between the child and dad. A paternity action will address custody, visitation, and support for the child.
The IV-D Court in Nueces County is the court that specifically handles all cases filed by the Attorney General's office. Paternity is the number one goal of the Texas Attorney General's office. Once the AG has established the legal relationship between dad and child they are entrusted with enforcing or modifying that order when necessary. My experience working as an assistant attorney general for the Child Support Division gives me the ability to navigate you through the process using the Attorney General in order to incur less expense for the parties rather than filing a private action. I can consult with you to give you the best options with regard to paternity actions.
The IV-D Court in Nueces County is the court that specifically handles all cases filed by the Attorney General's office. Paternity is the number one goal of the Texas Attorney General's office. Once the AG has established the legal relationship between dad and child they are entrusted with enforcing or modifying that order when necessary. My experience working as an assistant attorney general for the Child Support Division gives me the ability to navigate you through the process using the Attorney General in order to incur less expense for the parties rather than filing a private action. I can consult with you to give you the best options with regard to paternity actions.