Can I Request a Paternity Test During a Divorce?

 Posted on January 05, 2024 in Paternity

Some of the most significant issues that are raised during a divorce are child custody and parental agreements. If you have questions about whether or not you are the father of the child or if you need confirmation about the parent of your child, you need to request a paternity test during your divorce. An experienced Texas paternity attorney can help you explore your options for a fair divorce.

Why Request a Paternity Test During Divorce?

Establishing the parentage of a parent is essential for both married and unmarried parents, but it is especially important when it comes to divorce. Verifying who a child's father is helps to determine child custody payments, parental agreements, and other complex child custody issues.

Common reasons that either spouse may request a paternity test during their divorce include:

• The parentage of the child has never been established.
• The father wants to show themselves as the father so they can have legal parental rights.
• One spouse is disputing paternity of a child during the divorce.

If there is ever a question about the paternity of a child, this issue needs to be raised during a divorce so the court can determine a fair outcome.

Can I Contest a Child Custody Agreement?

Sometimes, couples going through a divorce can settle on a child custody agreement without issues, while other cases are highly contested. It is possible to contest a child custody agreement if you do not think it is fair, wishes for different allotments of time with your child, or if the child's parentage is in question. Contesting a child custody agreement often creates a complex situation in your divorce, and you will need legal counsel to understand your options. During a child custody dispute, you can expect paternity tests to be requested by either side as a way to establish parentage and arguments for custody in court.

Contact a Travis County, TX Paternity Lawyer

Divorce is complex, and when issues like child custody and the question of parentage come into your divorce, you may be dealing with even more stress. If you are concerned about the parentage of your child, or if you wish to establish paternity as part of a child custody agreement, it is important to work with a skilled Austin, TX paternity attorney at Powers Kerr & Rashidi, PLLC. We can help you understand the process of establishing parentage and work with you to develop child custody agreements during your divorce that give you the fairest outcome possible. Call 512-610-6199 for a consultation.