The Benefits of Establishing Paternity
The legal determination of paternity enables men to protect their right to share in the joy of raising their child. The benefits of testing can also extend to the child in many ways. Here is what all fathers should know about why they should do all they can to prove paternity, particularly when they aren’t married to the child’s mother.
Testing Not Always Needed
DNA testing gives conclusive evidence of a relationship, but it is not always necessary. The state of New Mexico assumes that the husband of a woman who gives birth is the father if the child is born within 300 days of their marriage. Unmarried parents can also notify the state with an Acknowledgment of Paternity form filed with the vital statistics bureau.