Parentage & Paternity Lawyer in Peoria

The subject of paternity, fathers’ rights, and parental rights largely come under what is now known as “parentage” in family law. Regardless of updates to this area of the law, parentage cases can be complicated so it is crucial that you have the help of a knowledgeable paternity attorney.

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Parentage Cases: Expert Paternity Advocacy by Hanauer Law

When a parentage case could make or break what’s in the best interests of your child, you need a paternity lawyer well-versed in this evolving area of the law. When you sit down with Rob Hanauer, founder of our firm, you’ll find yourself slipping into easy conversation with someone who really listens and will tell you exactly what to expect in your case. He and every attorney on our team knows what you have at stake. We don’t back down when it comes to protecting our clients.

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Know Your Rights. Consult with a Paternity Lawyer Today

Contact Hanauer Law to schedule an initial consultation with a paternity attorney in Peoria to go over the benefits of establishing parentage, such as obtaining child support, parenting time/child custody, and visitation—or to protect yourself from being held responsible for support and expenses for a child for whom you are not legally responsible. Having your name on a birth certificate may not be enough to establish parentage, so make sure you have a skilled legal professional on your side.

Rundown of Determining Paternity if Parentage is Not Agreed Upon

Petition the court with why paternity should be proven.
If approved, the court will order a DNA test.
Return to court once the results are in.
If there is a match, custody, support, and even arrears for past expenses for child-rearing may be assessed.

What You Should Know about Current Illinois Parentage Laws

The former laws in place regarding “traditional” paternity issues were re-worked to include family and parenting situations that don’t involve a husband and wife or mother and father. The Illinois Parentage Act of 2016 is focused on more than the biological definition of a parent. Key changes include:

Gender Neutrality

The main term used in the law is “parent” rather than “mother” or “father” in most cases where specific biological sex is not required. This allows for the legal rights of parents in same-sex marriages or civil unions and same-sex adoptions.

Presumed Parent or “Presumptive Parentage”

There are four situations where a person is recognized (presumed) to be the parent of the child without any requirement for DNA testing.

Presumed paternity through marriage.
Voluntarily acknowledgment of paternity.
Administrative paternity order.
Judicial paternity order.

Court Power to Deny DNA Testing

Depending on the age of the child and the length of the relationship with a particular parent figure, the court may decide that a DNA test is not in the child’s best interest as there exists an emotional child-parent bond that is more important than a biological connection or lack thereof.

Don’t Face a Parentage Case Without the Help of an Experienced Paternity Attorney

Get in touch with us now and see what we can do for your case. Too much is on the line to represent yourself.