DNA Lady
A young couple inquire about a DNA test for their new baby. The mother, interested in proving her fidelity to this young man while the "alleged" father was interested in removing family doubts. It seems that his family, over the holidays had chided him that this baby "doesn't look like any of us". His aunt even went so far as to say - "this baby is too light skinned to be from our family". Besides the insensitivity of it all, with the "melting pot" that our society has become today - no one can really know the entire contents of their own DNA, really.
In any case, the DNA collection and identification process were explained but the young man expected his medical insurance plan would cover the cost. However, Paternity Testing is not medically relevant information so medical or health insurance companies do not cover the cost for Paternity Tests.
It is January 7th, everyone is getting back to work and feeling the pressure of the looming big holiday bills. No matter what the media reports, we all spent too much and this young couple were no different. They had a new baby and he needed lots of new things and it was his first Christmas and it was their first Christmas as a family. There are so many good reasons why - the money spent on a Paternity Test to solidify this child's future - were instead spent on Christmas presents.
The DNA Lady attempts to provide alternatives and so the process of going to Family Court to sign up for a State Funded Paternity Test was offered along with all of the methods under which child support will then be collected in the event that this young man is the father. A hired collector from an out of state lab sits in a room in the courthouse, with a big DNA sign on the door, and one by one the families shuffle in to have their DNA collected.
Income Withholding - salary garnishment
License Suspension - driver's, professional and occupational are suspended if a child support bench warrant issued
Asset Seizure - if the child support falls behind 3 months, a lien can be placed on checking and savings accounts
Credit Reporting - past due amounts are reported to credit reporting agencies, thereby lowering your credit score
Lottery and Tax Refunds Intercept - very clear, if the child support payment exceeds $1000 the State can take your lottery winnings or tax refunds, property tax refunds, or homestead rebates.
Passport Denial - if a parent owes $5000 or more, the State can withhold issuance of a new or renewed passport.
New Hire Reports to the State - all employers are required to report information on newly hired employees. This information is then matched to an Automated Child Support Enforcement System and can generate a wage withholding.
The young couple will receive their DNA Paternity Test results by early next week from the DNA Lady. The young couple will then privately agree on how to raise their beautiful new baby boy and in the event there is a child support issue - the mother has a document and file with which to pursue child support and the father has a document and file with which to pursue child visitation rights. Their privacy is maintained, the child will know his parents and this young man does not have to worry about an employer finding out private information about him - now or in the future. Everyone's dignity is in tact and the State of New Jersey, already broke from overspending gets to save a few dollars in this very tough economy and manhours because they do not have to get involved in what is a very, private issue for some families.
In any case, the DNA collection and identification process were explained but the young man expected his medical insurance plan would cover the cost. However, Paternity Testing is not medically relevant information so medical or health insurance companies do not cover the cost for Paternity Tests.
It is January 7th, everyone is getting back to work and feeling the pressure of the looming big holiday bills. No matter what the media reports, we all spent too much and this young couple were no different. They had a new baby and he needed lots of new things and it was his first Christmas and it was their first Christmas as a family. There are so many good reasons why - the money spent on a Paternity Test to solidify this child's future - were instead spent on Christmas presents.
The DNA Lady attempts to provide alternatives and so the process of going to Family Court to sign up for a State Funded Paternity Test was offered along with all of the methods under which child support will then be collected in the event that this young man is the father. A hired collector from an out of state lab sits in a room in the courthouse, with a big DNA sign on the door, and one by one the families shuffle in to have their DNA collected.
Income Withholding - salary garnishment
License Suspension - driver's, professional and occupational are suspended if a child support bench warrant issued
Asset Seizure - if the child support falls behind 3 months, a lien can be placed on checking and savings accounts
Credit Reporting - past due amounts are reported to credit reporting agencies, thereby lowering your credit score
Lottery and Tax Refunds Intercept - very clear, if the child support payment exceeds $1000 the State can take your lottery winnings or tax refunds, property tax refunds, or homestead rebates.
Passport Denial - if a parent owes $5000 or more, the State can withhold issuance of a new or renewed passport.
New Hire Reports to the State - all employers are required to report information on newly hired employees. This information is then matched to an Automated Child Support Enforcement System and can generate a wage withholding.
The young couple will receive their DNA Paternity Test results by early next week from the DNA Lady. The young couple will then privately agree on how to raise their beautiful new baby boy and in the event there is a child support issue - the mother has a document and file with which to pursue child support and the father has a document and file with which to pursue child visitation rights. Their privacy is maintained, the child will know his parents and this young man does not have to worry about an employer finding out private information about him - now or in the future. Everyone's dignity is in tact and the State of New Jersey, already broke from overspending gets to save a few dollars in this very tough economy and manhours because they do not have to get involved in what is a very, private issue for some families.
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