Ventura Paternity Attorneys
Fighting for Father's Rights in CA
California paternity cases are called actions to determine parental relationships to establish who the child’s legal father is. You might need to determine paternity in the event you and your partner were not married at the time your child was born. This will need to be established before the father is legally entitled to child custody, child support, or visitation rights. A father has no legal rights or responsibilities to care for his child until paternity has been determined.
As the mother of a child, you might want to establish paternity to obtain a child support order for your child. As the father of a child, you might want to establish paternity to solidify your parental rights. Regardless of the situation, you should speak with an experienced lawyer to help you understand your rights.
How Do You Establish Paternity in California?
You can establish paternity in California by signing a Declaration of Paternity or obtaining a court order. A Declaration of Paternity is a legal document signed voluntarily by both legal parents of the child. Typically, this is signed right after the child is born at the hospital.
If a father is unsure if a child is his, he has the right to ask the court for a paternity test. He should not sign the Declaration of Paternity until he knows the results of this test.
Why Would You Want to Establish Paternity?
The main reason for establishing paternity is to obtain custody of a child.
Additional benefits include:
- The right to inherit from each parent
- Gaining access to family medical history and records
- Health insurance coverage from each parent
Who Can Request a Paternity Order Submission?
A paternity order request can also be submitted through California court. The individuals who can make this type of paternity request are as follows:
- The child’s mother
- The “alleged” father – the man who believes he is the father of the child
- An adoption agency
What Happens if a Married Woman Gets Pregnant with Another Man’s Child?
If a married woman gets pregnant with another man’s child who is not her husband, paternity can get complicated. In California, if a child is born, the couple were married, and they were cohabiting at the time of conception and birth, a presumption arises that the child is a child of the marriage.
The presumption may be challenged within two years of the child’s birth upon application and genetic testing.
Turn to Our Ventura Paternity Lawyers with Your Questions
As you can see, marriage often trumps paternity in the state of California. If you have questions or concerns regarding the paternity of your child, or you need assistance establishing who the father is, contact our experienced lawyers today.
It is important to handle a paternity case as soon as the child is born as these types of cases take a significant amount of time to work through. Matters such as child custody, visitation, child support and financial issues must all be taken into consideration. Do not hesitate to call us today to get started on your case.
Contact us online or call us at (805) 222-7818 to book a consultation to discuss your paternity case.
An Emphasis on Strong Family Values
Our firm places a strong emphasis on the importance of family values. The balance between maintaining these family values and generating a better future for you and your family is one we strive to achieve with each case. Our values consist of:
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Holistic Approach
We aim to resolve conflict so you and your family can move on peacefully. We approach all aspects of a case, including the emotional, financial, and mental components, and advocate with you throughout.
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Collaboration
Collaborative divorce can be a great option for spouses looking to share joint custody of their child/children and the court looks favorably on this decision. When possible, we strive to come to a resolution that will benefit both spouses.
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Children Come First
We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.
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Compassionate Legal Services
We respect the fact that our clients trust us with important life-decisions. We strive to be as understanding and empathetic as we can with you and treat you like we would treat a close family member.
Our Satisfied Clients
Real Stories from Real People
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“Michael and Donna are amazing!”
Michael and Donna are amazing! Very supportive, quick with responses and they made my proceedings go so smoothly, providing all information and options I needed to decide what was best for me, and are there if I'm in need of any other information. Highly recommended!- Kristin N. -
“I have the highest recommendations for this office”
- Chris L.Concern for my personal well being through the divorce process was present from our initial meeting. The process was thoroughly described and projections on the length of time to achieve the outcome made clear. The financial projection was painful but provided me time I needed to arrange my assets. I have the highest recommendations for this office.
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“Donna is amazing! Very supportive, quick with response and willing to fight for you.”
Donna is amazing! Very supportive, quick with response and willing to fight for you. She made my proceedings go so smoothly, provided all information and options I needed to decide what was best for me, and is there if I'm in need of any other information. Highly recommend!- Anonymous -
“The level of honesty and professionalism is beyond compare, not to mention compassion.”
“The level of honesty and professionalism is beyond compare, not to mention compassion. I feel that any attorney that can show compassion to their client as well as represent them is by far the best attorney.”- Erin H. -
“I’d choose her services again without hesitation”
“I’d choose her services again without hesitation”- Parker C. -
“Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level.”
- Phillip M.I was going through a difficult divorce, one which was stressful to both my wife and myself, so I needed to find solutions which would be fair and just and to relieve the tension. I was living in the Bay Area at the time and did much of the work on the phone, on my computer and at the Santo Mehas office in Ventura. I had heard of the reputation of the Santo Mehas law firm and trusted Donna as a person of integrity and sensitivity which is who I needed to get through this difficult process. I was not looking forward to working with the personal sensitive issues or the introspection necessary to get through this difficult process. Donna guided me through at a comfortable pace on both a personal and professional level. The case ended in a fair and respectable settlement for both parties and my ex and I are still friends years later. I am much happier for knowing that this is from a previous life and I have moved on. I still keep in contact with the family law lawyers at Santo Mehas as well as my ex.
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“Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse.”
- J.T.Donna and her staff are highly experienced/knowledgeable with family law. My case was complicated by child custody and divorce issues. For several years, my ex sought to always try and bring me back to court for mundane issues. Donna peacefully found ways to resolve these issues without remorse. I highly recommend Donna to anybody needing a qualified legal professional with a heart.
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“If you think you need help, you do and I recommend this firm.”
If you think you need help, you do and I recommend this firm. After a very sticky situation in court, Donna and Michael came in and saved the day on short notice. Not only are they a very knowledgeable firm but truly care about their clients. They take the time to listen and in turn explain the legal side to bridge the gap in feelings vs law.- Bonnie V.
