Are You The Dad Or Not The Dad? Don’t Wait Too Long Before Getting Tested

The law in the State of California has certain limitations from a timing standpoint in which a prospective father in a non-marital relationship can challenge the paternity of a child. Generally speaking, a prospective father has 2 years from the date of the birth of a child to request paternity testing. Sometimes men are uncertain whether the child is or is not his. I’ve heard “the child looks like me”, “has my eyes” or “has my ears” etc.., but the only definitive way to determine paternity is to request paternity testing through the courts. I advise clients and prospective clients that you really do NEED to know if you are the dad.

The legal consequences of being the dad versus not being the dad are dramatic. On the one hand, if you are determined to be the dad, then you know in your heart that the child is your flesh and blood and all doubt is removed. Additionally, you know that the child support you are paying is for the support of YOUR child. On the other hand, if you choose not to do the paternity testing, then you will never really know for sure that you are the dad.

Additionally, the financial consequences of being the dad when biologically you are not, is that you will be saddled with having to pay child support for a child or children until the child reaches age 18 and has graduated from high school. Definitely something to think about when deciding whether to request paternity testing or not. Men, it’s you choice and your choice alone. If you wait longer than 2 years after the birth of the child to request paternity testing, then you have waited too long and the judge can very well deny your request.