DNA Lady
We have all heard the African proverb, "It takes
a village to raise a child",
and when the village is small and one parent is missing the task
becomes even more challenging. Fortunately, being proactive and
understanding your rights as a parent will help alleviate any issues
that might arise as you take on the role of single parent. Every child
has the right to a parent-child relationship with both parents, and
all three deserve an opportunity to develop, enjoy and grow in the
relationship.
Establishing Paternity
1. Every child has the right to know both parents and have the
father's name appear on the birth certificate. Voluntarily
establishing paternity is not expensive and does not have to involve
an attorney or attorney fees. Both parents may contact the State
Department/Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics, Central
Paternity Registry, or the Department of Community Health and request
an Affidavit of Paternity. There may be a small fee for filing this
document but it will ensure legal paternity is established. If the father in
question has any doubt that
the child is biologically related, a simple, non-
invasive DNA test can be
performed privately or by the State. The benefits of a private DNA test are speed of results, ease in appointment setting and overall privacy in a very sensitive matter.
Paternity Testing
2. Paternity testing is a series of genetic tests used to indicate the
likelihood that a man is, or is not the biological father of a child.
The most common method used today is DNA testing which are 99.9
percent accurate in determining that a man is not the father. The
child can be tested at any age, and the DNA test is obtained by
rubbing a cotton tipped swab on the inside of the check or DNA can be
extracted from blood or other tissues. Pre-Natal Paternity tests are
also available today. Participants should understand the risk of
Amniocentesis or CVS to the
mother and baby, before undergoing
such test for the purposes of
establishing paternity only.
Laboratories performing
paternity test should be accredited by the
American Association of Blood
Banks (AABB).
Financial Security
3. The law requires both parents support their children. This is true
even if the pregnancy is unplanned. Children supported by one parent
often do not have enough money for their needs. A child support order
cannot be established if paternity is not proven. In the State of New
Jersey, child support payments are not refunded if a man has been named
as father and later establishes that he is not
the father. Another reason, why a man
with any doubt about the paternity of
the child, should have a DNA test to confirm Paternity.
Survivor & other Benefits
4. Medical and dental insurance may be available through the non-
custodial parent's employer, union, or military service. In addition, many
employers offer scholarship programs
for children of employees. Medical
assistance programs may be available through the local and/or state
family/child assistance agencies. Later on in the child's life, when applying
for financial aid for college, the role of both biological parents must be proven
in order for the child to receive financial aid. How harmful will it be for a child
to have to focus on locating a biological parent at a time when the focus should be on college preparation. If something should happen to either
parent, the child could qualify for Social Security, pensions,
inheritance rights, veterans' benefits and life insurance. Paternity
must be established to receive these benefits.
Keep Track of Child Support
Information
5. It is imperative that both parents, (the custodial and non-
custodial) keep track of parent information, parenting time,
(visitations), receipt of child support payments, court ordered or
not, names of child support workers, attorney contacts, names of
judges/referees, docket/court numbers etc. concerning the child
support case. Remember to keep this information in a secure location
and let someone you trust know where this information can be found in
the event of an emergency.
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