Recently in Paternity Category

One would think because of proximity (closeness), that a simple trip across the George Washington Bridge, the Lincoln Tunnel, the Holland Tunnel, or the Goethals Bridge and you could get a Private Paternity Test.

In the State of New Jersey, you can get a DNA  Test done for private reasons, without a lawyer, doctor or any other official.  Call your local DNA collector, set up your appointment and you can receive a Court Admissible document and/or Find Out First Paternity Test.  In the State of New York, however, there are antiquated (outdated) laws still on the books that regulate DNA testing.  The New York State Department of  Health (NYSDOH) regulates DNA Testing - whether for a diagnostic (medical) purpose or for a simple Paternity test.  So if your identification indicates you are a resident of New York State (from Albany down to Brooklyn), then you are required to have a prescription and proper government issued identification to obtain a Legal DNA Test. 

If you want to have a Paternity Test done this holiday season, and you only have New York identification, call your primary care physician as soon as possible and ask for a written doctor's prescription stating the names of the DNA test participants - usually child, mother and alleged father - and, very important - have your primary care physician clearly state - that it is OK for the lab to release results to you - the patient. It is also no necessary to test the mother of a child to confirm paternity of a child.  If your doctor is unfamiliar with the NYSDOH regulation, we will be happy to call your doctor with information. Please be able to provide us with your doctor's name and phone number and the names of the participants in the DNA test.

On the other hand, non-NY residents, that is resident of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and virtually every other State,  have the ability to obtain a DNA Paternity test with just one phone call.  The DNA Lady can set your appointment in one of our convenient collection sites across the Tri-State Area or across the United States - usually on a day's notice.  Newark DNA Tests - done conveniently Monday through Saturday - right near the court house.  Trenton DNA Tests - done conveniently in a private office - parking in front- major transportation within two blocks.

From DNA Testing in Paterson - to DNA Testing in Flemington - call The DNA Lady and she will set you up immediately. We understand that Paternity Tests are still a private matter - only the legal guardian of minor children need to provide identification to allow us to perform the non-invasive (no needles) DNA Test.  New mothers need not be standing in line in a court house, holding baby and essentials, waiting for her turn to have a DNA test performed.  Our Find Out First Paternity Tests take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

For residents of Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern Connecticut - mobile DNA Testing is your best bet.  A mobile DNA Collector will come to your private home, ask you to provide photocopies of your identification, perform a non-invasive DNA collection (no needles) and 3 days later call you and email you with results and then follow the call/email up with a hard copy.  PA and CT DNA Tests - are also not regulated by the Health Departments and can be done on a Court Admissible Basis (in case you later on decide to use test as evidence in Court) or on a Find out First Private paternity test basis. 

You will receive a copy of the DNA Tests, including the genetic markers tested that determined with 99% assurance that you are the biological father of the child or not.  A  DNA Test is very easy to understand - if you are the biological father of the child the results will read greater than 99% Probability of Paternity - if you are not the biological father of the child - the result will read 0% Probability of Paternity  All DNA Testing companies use the same genetic markers to determine human relatedness - if you have taken a test with another lab and want to double check the test results - have one person's DNA profile done (half the price of a DNA test) and match those genetic markers to one of the participants in the original DNA Test.

If you are entitled to Social Security benefits, or your children are entitled to Social Security benefits and you require proof of Paternity, Maternity, Grand Paternity or siblingship, Examen de ADN can be performed and is accepted as proof.  Below is the new Social Security website in spanish.

Often times, a U.S. government office will request a parent or guardian to provide legal documentation of a biological relationship in order to establish eligibility for benefits.  Families that have been moving around, documents not in English, documents not updated may need assistance in providing paternidad, maternidad or other biological relationships.   Today, there is a population probably entitled to benefits but have been unable to communicate or effectively understand eligibility so the Social Security Administration put together a Spanish site.  Use the below link, to determine your eligibility.  If Examen de ADN is necessary please call your local DNA collector for details.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/espanol/

The following is an excerpt from an Australian news article, that prompted me to think - how many men would go running to their nearest local DNA Lady collection center, if they thought there was a possible refund?  The cost of the local DNA Lady's test, could not possibly equal the refund, if the child happens to not be yours.

Quote:

A woman has been ordered to pay back $13,000 in child support payments after DNA tests confirmed he was not the father of her 14 year old son. 

UNQUOTE

The "alleged" father took the child in for a DNA test, because the paternal grand mother continued to make observations that the child did not look like anyone else in their family.  Prompted by memories of a compromising position the man came upon with his wife and a neighbor years ago, he decided to find out for himself.

After confirmation from an accredited DNA collection facility, the man then returned to the equivalent of family court in Australia and asked that his child support payments be stopped.  The magistrate was so discouraged and outraged by the mother's fraudulent claims of paternity, that not only did he stop further child support payments, he demanded that the mother repay this man all monies he paid over the years, after a bitter divorce.

Some would bet any amount of money, that the aunts and grandmothers on both sides of this family recognized long ago that this child was not fathered by this man but there had already been enough conflict through the divorce, that no one wanted to create any more problems or be considered a "budinsky".

Now, 14 years later, who is the real victim in these situation - THE CHILD.  There is no greater bond than that between a father and child - now how do the ADULTS explain to this child what they have done?  How do you tell a 14 year old boy, who has played catch with his dad, gone to cricket or other sporting events with his dad and who relished every minute of the child visitation time w ith his dad - that this is not his dad.  Hopefully, a proper child psychologist will be brought to handle the situation and done so on an age appropriate level.

Does this remind you of anyone in  your family?  Have their been family rumours about a child in  your gatherings that no one is bothering to confront?  The longer the myth persists the harder it will be to reveal the truth to the child, the family and to everyone else involved. Most men in this situation react with true hurt - they do no want to give up the relationship with the child - but know that every child has the right to know who their biological parents are irrespective of the relationship between parents.

Today, more and more men, are taking children in for Paternity Tests.  Although having the mother included in the test provides a  more conclusive result, it is not necessary to have the mother tested, to confirm Paternity.  DNA Tests are non-invasive, a simple cheek swab is all that is needed to create a DNA profile. 

If it meant that you would be repaid child support payments made over the last XXX number of years - would you take your child in for a Paternity Test?  Would confirming/denying Paternity relieve you of the doubt you have carried for this time or would confirming/denying Paternity hurt you to your very core.  The MOPO effect we see on TV is not what the real men are doing in these circumstances.  Real men are hurt, their families(grand mothers, aunts, uncles) are disrupted, they are emotionally scarred by careless women, who either can't count or didn't listen during biology classes, or perhaps saw a bigger jackpot by naming the wrong father.

The moral of the story is Find Out First - get a Private Paternity Test(PPT) and remove lingering doubts and family whispers.  Everyone in the long run, will benefit by knowing the truth from the beginning.  

Private Paternity Testing (PPT) has been available to consumers for years.  However, well meaning, doctors, lawyers, birth certificate registrars tend to push clients toward Paternity Testing through family court.  A legitimate, PPT center offers the same test, in most cases, by the same laboratory as a State funded paternity test and provides a faster response times in a kinder more personal atmosphere.  The result is that all family members are relieved of unnecessary days off from work or school and the family can bond immediately with the child, without fear of doubt about paternity.

Imagine being a new mom, for the first or even second time and having to stand in a court room and "claim" that someone is the father of your child.  New moms are tired, stressed and should really just be concentrating on taking care of the new baby.  In the case, where both mother and father are on state assistance, then maybe a court room is their only option.  If one of the  parents, is employed it may be in their best interest and the interest of the child, to have a Private Paternity Test (PPT) in order to insure all dollars available are given to the child.  Most PPT centers are able to work with parents on payment plans.

If the mother of a child is receiving cash assistance from the State, then only the first $100 of child support ordered by the court - actually goes to the mother and child.  The remaining funds are given to the Department of Social Services as pay back. 

So, in the end, everyone would benefit from a PPT, as long as the alleged father will cooperate and wants to be supportive of the child.  In the case, where the father doesn't want to support the child, and a mother is forced to go the route of Family Court, then if the PPT was done on a Court Admissible Paternity Test basis, the mother already has the evidence she needs to obtain child support.

The advance in technology and the competitive nature of the industry has allowed PPT centers to offer very affordable pricing on Paternity Tests.  The only word of caution is to make sure you are working with someone local and someone you can return to with quesitons about the test.  Most PPT centers do not expect a credit card payment on the phone.  Final word of caution is to ask about accreditation carried by the PPT labs.  Do not use a non-accredited paternity test - it is not worth the paper it is written on. 

Most any 12 year old child that enters my office, knows what a DNA Test is about.  We remove any signs related to Paternity in order to allow the parents some dignity however, sex education in schools,  movies, TV, games or friends - a 12 year old is able to connect - DNA with "who is my father?".  That is why I'm always surprised when an adult gets results they did not expect and then get angry with me.  Sort of don't kill the messenger situtation.  When there are two adults and one child participating in a DNA Test to confirm or deny Paternity - one of the adults knows the truth in the situation - the other is in denial. 

There is another phenomenon and that is the person or person(s) who believe that DNA "Testes" are free.  Even if done by Maury or family court - DNA Testes are not free.  A late night caller plugs into a search engine "Free DNA Tests" and of course, lands on our page.  Then call asking if we do "free DNA Testes".   This is the segment of the population who also expects free education, free healthcare, free medicine - here's some free advice - get a job, get a life, go back to school and learn English.  One has to feel sorry for this population otherwise one would track them down through one of the many private investigators who legitimately use our tests and issue warnings about nuisance calls.

DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid or the genetic material found in the nucleated cells of your body.  A person receives half of his/her genetic material, or DNA from his/her biological mother and the other half from his/her biological father.  DNA is the same whether in your blood or your saliva and today's technology allows us to collect cheek cells from mother, father and child to confirm Paternity or Maternity.  Today most labs are using PCR Based Analysis which amplifies specific areas of DNA (loci) in search of the STRs (short tandem repeat units) of DNA.  Each person has two sets of the repeating or STRs known as allelles.  The numbers listed on a DNA Paternity Test represent the number of times the proteins (GATC) repeats at that specific allelle.  If a tested man does not have obligate paternal allelles at three or more loci, he is excluded as the biological father of the child.    Rarely, an alleged father will not have the obligate paternal allele at one or two loci.  The laboratory would then require additional analysis to determine whether the alleged father is excluded or not.  All the more reason, to use a community based DNA collector - so that you can return to that office and ask questions about the DNA Test results.   

You may have landed on this blog because you are trying to set up a DNA test with a local New Jersey based DNA collections facility.  In my business, working with a local company on such an important matter in your life - is more important than the $10 or $20 you can save by dialing one of those "800" numbers.  Once you have results, if you have questions, you can simply walk into our collection facility and ask me direct questions about the Paternity Test.

While you are here looking at all the different DNA topics, that I as an expert DNA collector, keep on top of everyday - here is one that you (the new alleged dad) or you (the new mom) should also keep in mind.

Many woman suffer from PostPartum Depression (PPD), in fact up to 80% of new mother's experience a range of highs and lows during pregnancy or following delivery.  Usually, these "baby blues" are mild and go away in about two weeks.  However, if you are feeling a little more than the "baby blues" and a heavy feeling of sadness doesn't stop in about two weeks - please speak up to your doctor, your family, your friends - even your local DNA collector.  and Men if you see this in the new mom in  your life - make sure her family and doctor know about it.  Too many times, women try to put a "strong" or "happy" face on because they think they are supposed to be happy and elated after a child is born.  PPD is treatable with support, patience and knowledge and it will not last forever.  Some of the syptoms of PPD are:

General lack of interest in the baby, family or friends

Changes in Sleep Patterns (too much or too little)

Uncontrollable crying

Irritability and anxiousness

Changes in Appetite (too much or too little)

These are only a handful of signs.  Each mother experiences pregnancy differently and each mother experiences the postnatal days just as differently.  But with treatment, love, understanding, and support PPD is treatable and will not last forever.  Mom can restore her joy in her new baby. 

Perhaps this may not be the time to push for a Paternity Test.  Don't sign papers in a hospital or court if you have any doubts.  Assure the mother and family that you intend on doing the right thing for everyone involved but that there is no sense putting your name on a piece of paper only to have to change it in the future.  Better to wait a few weeks until Mom has settled in, any signs of PPD are managed by her physician and then attend to a Private DNA Test to confirm paternity. 

Ultimately, while taking care of a new mom who may be experiencing PPD is important task - it is equally as important for the child to know his true and correct biological parent through a private, non invasive DNA test - finding out later in everyone's life only upsets the entire family and make shake the child's foundation.   

Just in case here is a telephone number and a website link in case you think a new mom may be experiencing PPD 1-800-328-3838.  First things first.

DNA TESTING FOR GRANDPARENTS

How fast did August move by us?  September starts to move just as quickly with kids returning to school, vacations over, family reunions behind us (was that fun or what?) school projects, school clubs and yes - my favorite - Halloween.  September is also dedicated to our grandparents.  Don't forget to let a grandparent in your life, know how special they are to you and thank them for all the loving things they do for you.

Grandparents are lovingly involved in the lives of their grandchildren, from taking them to the local events, sharing family recipes and stories to just babysitting when mom and dad just need a break.  Grandparents tend to show up at those school events, too and affectionately point and clap for everything you do.  However, there are many grandparents in today’s society who are part of an emerging social issue – responsibility for fulltime care and upbringing of the grandchildren.  Parenting can be challenging as a lot has changed since you raised your own child.  It is estimated that nearly 8.2% of children in New Jersey are living with their grandparents or other relatives.  Formally proving a biological family relationship is sometimes crucial in the overall care and support of the child.

            In some cases, grandparents are separated from their grandchildren due to divorce or other strained relationships in the family.  Grandparents should be aware that each state carries its own set of rules regarding Grandparents Visitation Rights.  Below are excerpts from the Grandparent Visitation and Custody Laws in New York and New Jersey.

            New Jersey - A court may grant visitation rights if visitation is in the child's best interest. Adoption cuts off the rights of biological grandparents, unless the adoption is granted to a stepparent.

            New York - The custody statute does not provide statutory factors for determining the best interest of the child. A court may grant visitation rights if at least one of the child's parents is deceased or if the court finds that equity demands intervention based on the circumstances of the case. Adoption does not automatically cut off the visitation rights of grandparents.

            Grandparents across the U.S. can use tests offered by The DNA Lady for the following reasons: 

• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when their son is not wed to the mother of the child and Acknowledgement of Paternity papers were not signed at the hospital.
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child in order to remove rumors and doubt about the paternity, which allows the extended family to bond with the baby
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when a parent is in prison or unfit to care for the grandchild
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when a parent is deceased and did not sign Acknowledgement and/or Certificate of Paternity when child was born
• To confirm their biological relationship to a child when their son away at school, military posts,  or jobs in foreign countries

The DNA Lady will help you obtain conclusive biologic (DNA) evidence you need when establishing relationships with or raising your grandchildren.  Evidence of the biological relationship also allows the grandchildren to obtain social security benefits, healthcare benefits and survivor benefits that they may not be eligible for because Acknowledgement or Certificates of Paternity were not completed at birth.  Please visit our website for a list of additional “grandparent as parent” and “kinship care” resources in your community.

 The DNA Lady has local collection sites in Passaic, Little Falls, Somerville, Flemington, Perth Amboy, Newark, Metuchen and Trenton, NJ as well as Staten Island and Brooklyn, NY.  Call any of our convenient local numbers for assistance.

732-632-8820 Central New Jersey

862-250-6297 Northern New Jersey

201-308-5566 New Jersey

609-964-1690 Southern New Jersey

718-679-9185 Brooklyn

516-570-3593 Long Island

215-469-2909 Pennsylvania

Top 5 Reasons to Include The DNA Lady as a Referral Source:

FINANCIAL

NJ budget cuts have been reflected in our education, our protectors and our infrastructure.  In fact, many of our most-needy cities are seeing lay-offs of existing Police and Firemen.  Salaries of our educators and administrators are being capped. Hospitals have closed or merged, staffing at municipal facilities (think MVC) has been decreased, & social service agencies are over-loaded with case work.  Have you ever tried to call any Social Service offices lately?

Then ask yourself – why should the State be responsible for scheduling and paying for anyone’s Paternity Test?  Do you know what it means when the state pays for a paternity test?  “State funded” means you and me, the taxpayer.     

CULTURAL AWARENESS

Have you ever sat in a NJ family court waiting room and watched the assembly line process in place for state funded paternity tests?  There is no privacy for the participants in a state funded paternity test. 

Your patients deserve the dignity and respect offered by The DNA Lady.  Depending on the country of origin of the family, having a doubt about Paternity is still considered a private family matter – not to be publicly paraded in court, TV or elsewhere. 

SERVICE

State funded paternity tests often take up to 21 days to return results.  Benefits and more importantly – the emotional support and advice an extended family can provide to the new mom, possible new dad and baby are all put on hold until the State process is completed.   Again, have you called a Social Services phone line lately?

The DNA Lady's Paternity Test results return in 3 business days.  Each participant (mother and alleged father) receives a direct phone call from me, an email or fax if requested, and then a hard copy of the DNA Test results via regular mail.  The purpose of expediting the turn-around time is to allow all family members to bond faster with the baby and to remove unnecessary stress.  Our full-style explanation of our process and national accreditation assists participants in understanding and trusting our results.  The participants always have the opportunity to call me and ask questions about the test.

CONVENIENCE

State funded paternity tests are only available in the family court setting.  DNA collection dates are set up during regular business hours, once per month to coordinate a court docket. 

The DNA Lady offers 8 convenient DNA collection sites in New Jersey with late evening and weekend appointments available. Is Sunday the only day that the new dad has off from work?  We will make our schedule work for him.  Mobile DNA Testing is also available.  Since 2007, The DNA Lady has developed a network of DNA collector’s around the country and around the world.  If dad, mom or child, are located in different places, we can coordinate DNA collections at their convenience. 

COURT ADMISSIBLE AND/OR JUST A DOUBT

Not every man who has a doubt about the paternity of a child needs a court “to order” his participation in a DNA Test.  Most men are willing to participate and pay for a paternity test.  Forcing a man into a court environment to confirm paternity is like forcing a 5 year old to eat his vegetables – he learns not to like vegetables.  When both families should be bonding with the new child and with each other – resentment is created by the idea of court “ordered” testing. 

The DNA Lady allows both parents to decide at the time of the collection, which type of test best suits their circumstances.  The mother or alleged father may request that I perform the DNA collection on a Chain of Custody or Court Admissible basis.  On the other hand, some families only need a simple confirmation with what we call a Peace of Mind test, to remove any doubts about paternity.   All of our tests are performed at AABB, CAP, CLIA, NYSDOH and FQS-Intl ISO17025 accredited facilities. 

Now is a good time to update your will and add/remove names, assets, policies and beneficiaries.  In fact, just as we all change our CO2 and Smoke Alarm batteries in October, we should have a national Update Your Estate Month in June or July.

Kids are getting out of school, custodial plans are being made, vacation days are available, Father's Day is just around the corner - isn't this a good time to safeguard your family by updating your will and perhaps including a genetic DNA Profile.  Safeguarding your DNA Profile will insure that no heretofore unknown relative pops up as the will is being executed.  You can designate a family member or the executor of your will to have access to your DNA profile, should the need arise.  A certificate bearing your name and the authorized person who can access your DNA profile can be attached to  your will.  At the time of your death, everyone will know that a DNA profile is available to remove any doubts or family rumors.  A myth often heard when working with the funeral homes is that you can use a lock of hair to create a genetic profile - not true unless that lock of hair is about as thick as an eraser head and about one inch long and includes the root or follicle.  Otherwise, a lab will not be able to obtain the necessary genetic markers to create a profile.

In case any of the following events have taken place, since your will was created, it is a good excuse to update the will and include the DNA profile at the same time.  Did anyone get married and/or divorced that is named in your will?  Did anyone in your will give birth to a child or possibly adopt a child that needs to be named in your will?  Has there been any deaths of beneficiaries that are named in your will?  Pension plans and 401K or 403Bs, health insurance policies, favorite charities - all have elected beneficiary - have you updated yours to include all new families members? 

Often times, a disgruntled sibling will debate whether another family member is entitled to any inheritance and can delay distributions for years.  We have all passed by homes that were once magnificient but have been left to decay because of estate matters.  If you have a DNA Profile included with your will, there can be no question as to who is your biological relative.  Of course, not all wills are written with only biological relatives - naturally this blog is about biological relatives and identification via non-invasive DNA test.

Finally, it is not difficult or time consuming to set up your will.  There are several on-line sites that allow you to download a will.  You can complete a will in the privacy of your home and then bring it to your local notary for signature.  Or, if your assets are that large, using the expertise of a local estate attorney is probably the best method.  However you chose to let your loved ones know that you cared enough to write it down, a DNA profile is just the 21st gold standard in identification and simple enough to accomplish. 

Are  you the boyfriend of a new mom, or just a mom, that has always had a doubt about the paternity of your child?  Have you brought this issue  up in the heat of an argument with the mom and then used your doubts as an excuse to not pay child support or not participate in the child's life?

Do everyone a favor this Mother's Day and get a private DNA Paternity Test.  If you are not the father, then everyone involved with this child has the right to know.  And if you are the father, then buy your girlfriend a big bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates and apologize for the doubt and become the father that every child deserves.

All too often, I get a call from an upset woman stating that her boyfriend has once again accused her of being unfaithful and he is concerned about the paternity of their child.  Or, a woman from a generation when DNA testing was not so commonplace, will call and say that her husband has been hounding her for 30 years about this question - can she get the DNA test done now? Of course she can and I would encourage anyone who has any doubt about their biological relationships to participate in a DNA test. 

Men, step up, get a Private DNA Test and put your concern, resentment and excuses to argue to rest, finally. Offer the cost of the test as a Mother's Day Gift and a promise that you will no longer use "doubt" as a reason to not participate in a child's life.

Many young men do not want to go through a State Paternity Testing system because of concerns over privacy.  If the state performs a paternity test - they will also then execute an income withholding process and notify your employer(s) to garnish your salary, proceed with court action against you for back child support, withhold your tax refunds, suspend your driver's license and possibly arrest you for criminal non-support.  

A Private DNA Test will at least provide you with confirmation whether you are or you are not the father - and then you and the mom can make provisions privately on how you will both participate in this child's life.