Colorado Springs Paternity Attorney
Let Our Firm Help You Establish Paternity
If you need to establish or dispute paternity in Colorado Springs, Aviso Law is here to help. Our experienced paternity lawyers understand the legal, financial, and emotional complexities that come with determining a child’s biological and legal father. Whether you’re a mother seeking child support, a father fighting for parental rights, or someone unsure of your legal obligations, our team is ready to guide you through the process.
Call (719) 356-5552 or fill out our online contact form today to ensure your parental rights are protected.
What is Paternity in Family Law
Paternity refers to the legal recognition of a man as the father of a child. Establishing paternity is important because it affects parental rights, child support obligations, inheritance rights, and access to benefits such as health insurance and Social Security.
In Colorado, paternity can be established voluntarily through mutual acknowledgment by both parents or involuntarily through legal action. If a child is born to married parents, the husband is presumed to be the father. However, if the parents are unmarried, paternity must be legally determined.
Rights and Responsibilities Gained Through Paternity
Establishing paternity is about more than just a name on a birth certificate; it unlocks a suite of legal protections and obligations that benefit both the parent and the child.
For the Father
Once you are legally recognized as the father, you gain the standing to motion the court for:
- Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (Custody): The right to seek physical parenting time and legal decision-making authority.
- Access to Records: The legal right to access your child’s medical, dental, and educational records.
- Inheritance Protection: Ensuring your child is a legal heir to your estate.
For the Mother
Establishing paternity allows the mother to:
- Secure Child Support: Access the financial resources necessary to provide for the child’s upbringing.
- Shared Health Insurance: The ability to add the child to the father's health, dental, or vision insurance plans.
- Social Security Benefits: Ensuring the child is eligible for veteran or social security benefits through the father’s service or employment history.
For the Child
- Access to medical and inheritance benefits: A child with a legally recognized father may qualify for health insurance, Social Security, and inheritance rights.
- Emotional and psychological benefits: Knowing one’s biological father can provide a child with a sense of identity and emotional stability.
Legal Process of Establishing Paternity in Colorado
Here are the typical steps to establish paternity in Colorado Springs family law cases:
- Voluntary acknowledgment: Both parents agree on the father's identity and complete a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity form at the hospital or later.
- Court-ordered process: If paternity is in dispute, either parent or a state agency can file a petition with the El Paso County Courthouse. When necessary, the court may order a DNA test to confirm the biological relationship.
Voluntary Acknowledgment
If both parents agree on the father’s identity, they can sign a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP). This form is typically signed at the hospital when the child is born or can be completed later. Filing this document with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment establishes legal paternity.
Court-Ordered Paternity
If paternity is disputed, a court may need to intervene. Either parent or a state agency can file a petition to establish paternity. The process usually includes:
- Filing a Petition: The case begins when one party files a petition in family court.
- Genetic Testing: If paternity is contested, the court may order a DNA test to confirm the biological relationship.
- Court Determination: Based on DNA results and other evidence, the court will issue a paternity order.
- Child Support and Custody Orders: Once paternity is established, the court can determine child support, custody, and visitation arrangements.
Many families may feel overwhelmed by the paperwork or court procedures, so working closely with a paternity lawyer in Colorado Springs can clarify each step and reduce uncertainty. Local family law courts in Colorado Springs are well-versed in paternity matters and can play a key role in ensuring all parties’ rights are fairly represented through the process.
Disputing Paternity in Colorado
In some cases, a man may believe he is not the biological father of a child and may wish to contest paternity. If paternity was established through a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity, there is a limited timeframe in which it can be rescinded. After that, disputing paternity typically requires legal action and DNA testing.
If you wish to dispute paternity in Colorado Springs, consider the following points:
- Act promptly: There are strict timeframes for rescinding a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP).
- Gather documentation: Relevant evidence, such as DNA test results or written communications, will assist your case.
- Engage a local attorney: A paternity attorney Colorado Springs residents trust can help you navigate county court processes and represent your interests.
Disputes over paternity can arise for many reasons, including mistakes on hospital paperwork or questions about a child’s parentage after a relationship ends. A paternity attorney Colorado Springs families trust can walk you through the process for contesting a VAP, including gathering relevant evidence and representing your interests at hearings. The support of a local attorney is especially helpful in situations involving Colorado statutes, as strict deadlines and court protocols in El Paso County can impact paternity determinations.
If a man is incorrectly identified as the father, legal representation is crucial to navigate the legal process of disestablishing paternity.
How Aviso Law Supports Military Families With Paternity Cases
Many families in Colorado Springs have ties to the military given the presence of installations such as Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base. Paternity issues involving military parents often present particular challenges, including deployments, changes of station, and complex benefits eligibility requirements. Our legal team understands these unique circumstances and works closely with service members and their families to address paternity matters in a respectful, informed way.
When handling cases that involve military families, we can help navigate issues like:
- Coordinating DNA testing when one parent is stationed elsewhere
- Clarifying how military benefits are affected by paternity
- Working around the schedules dictated by active-duty status
Each step is taken with sensitivity to the unique needs of military parents and children, always with the goal of providing stability and legal clarity for everyone involved.
By providing knowledgeable and responsive legal support relevant to our local community, our firm makes the paternity process more manageable for those who serve. If you are part of a military family in Colorado Springs facing paternity questions, we encourage you to reach out so we can offer guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Contact a Paternity Lawyer in Colorado Springs Today
Navigating paternity issues can be challenging, but having the right legal team can make all the difference. At Aviso Law, we are committed to helping parents and children secure their legal rights. Whether you need to establish paternity, dispute a paternity claim, or secure parental rights, our knowledgeable Colorado Springs paternity lawyers are here to help.
Contact Aviso Law today at (719) 356-5552 to schedule a consultation and discuss your paternity case with a trusted attorney.
Why Choose Aviso Law?
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Clients First
Every attorney will tell you they put their clients first. That is true for Aviso Law but it’s how we go about it that sets up apart. We understand the difference between being prepared and aggressive in courtrooms, while being understanding and pragmatic in client meetings. We believe in being realistic as well as easy to work with through all the phases of your case, both in and out of court; this saves you money and time while still receiving the service you deserve with the goal of achieving desired results.
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Proven Success
To us, success isn’t measured by the years we’ve spent behind a desk but by the careers we’ve built, the contacts we’ve made, and the thousands of clients we’ve served to protect jobs, families, education, and reputations. We developed our careers in Colorado’s military and civil courts, successfully defending clients from all walks of life. We come highly rated by our clients and have received professional recognition for our work.
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Breaking the Mold
We’re not your typical law firm. We don’t wear fancy suits (unless we have to in court) and we don’t hide behind big imposing desks. Reflective on our military roots, we strive to serve. We understand the legal process can be threatening and worrisome, which is why we work with our clients to get results. We aim to be respectful, diligent, and cost-effective while practicing the highest standards of legal representation.
