Paternity Lawyer in Warwick
Establishing paternity can be one of the most important steps in protecting a child’s future and in defining a father’s rights and responsibilities. In Rhode Island, paternity is a legal status that carries significant consequences for custody, visitation, and child support. The entire process must be handled carefully, within the framework of Rhode Island family law.
At the Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien, LLC, Warwick family law attorney Brett Beaubien, provides experienced, individualized representation in paternity cases. Every client who retains his services works directly with him, receiving focused, strategic, and compassionate representation from start to finish. Call today to receive dedicated Warwick paternity legal support.
What is Paternity Under Rhode Island Law?
Paternity refers to the legal establishment of a man as a child’s father. Once established, both the father and the child gain rights and obligations under the law. Paternity creates the legal foundation for:
- Custody and visitation rights for fathers
- Child support obligations
- Access to medical records and family health information
- Inheritance rights for the child
- Eligibility for benefits such as health insurance or Social Security
Rhode Island family courts take paternity seriously because it impacts the well-being and stability of the child. However, the process for establishing or challenging paternity depends on the individual circumstances of each case. Attorney Beaubien provides dedicated family law services in Warwick, guiding clients through this process to help them achieve their objectives.
How Paternity is Established in Warwick
There are several ways paternity can be established, depending on whether the parents are married or unmarried.
Presumption of Paternity in Marriage
When a child is born to married parents, the husband is automatically presumed to be the child’s legal father. This presumption can only be challenged through specific legal procedures, which require substantial evidence to rebut.
Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity
When parents are not married, they can establish paternity by signing a Voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (VAP) form. This is usually done at the hospital shortly after the child’s birth but can also be completed later through the Rhode Island Department of Health or the Office of Child Support Services.
Once signed, the acknowledgment has the same legal effect as a court order and officially names the man as the child’s legal father.
Court-Ordered Paternity
If either parent disputes paternity or refuses to sign the acknowledgment form, the matter must be resolved through the court. The family court may order genetic testing to confirm or disprove biological paternity. Once results are presented, the court issues an order legally establishing (or denying) paternity.
Paternity attorney in Warwick, Brett Beaubien, helps clients navigate this process from both sides, representing fathers who wish to prove or contest paternity and mothers seeking to confirm paternity for purposes of child support or legal recognition.
Why Establishing Paternity Matters
Establishing paternity provides clear legal benefits for both the child and the parents.
For Fathers
A confirmed legal relationship gives fathers the right to pursue custody and visitation and ensures that their role in the child’s life is recognized by the court. It also allows fathers to participate in major decisions affecting their child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious practices.
For Mothers
A legal determination of paternity allows mothers to seek child support, health insurance coverage, and other financial assistance for the child. It can also help ensure that both parents share responsibility for raising the child.
For Children
Children benefit emotionally and financially from knowing both parents. Legal paternity gives a child access to both parents’ medical history, potential inheritance, and eligibility for family benefits.
Child custody lawyer in Warwick Brett Beaubien’s role is to ensure that these outcomes are achieved through fair, lawful means that protect the rights of everyone involved.
DNA Testing in Paternity Cases
Genetic testing has become the most reliable method for determining biological paternity. Rhode Island courts may order a DNA test when there is a dispute about a child’s parentage. These tests are highly accurate (typically over 99% reliable) and can be conducted through a simple cheek swab.
Warwick paternity lawyer Brett Beaubien ensures that all testing procedures follow proper chain-of-custody standards, so results remain admissible in court. He also helps clients interpret and present the results effectively, whether they are confirming or contesting paternity.
If paternity is established through testing, the court will issue a formal Order of Filiation, which serves as the legal acknowledgment of fatherhood.
Challenging or Disputing Paternity
Sometimes, paternity is wrongfully assumed or acknowledged under circumstances that were mistaken or misleading. A man may discover, years later, that he is not the biological father of a child for whom he has been providing support. Rhode Island law allows paternity to be challenged in certain cases, though strict time limits and procedural requirements apply.
Grounds for Challenging Paternity
- Evidence of fraud, duress, or mistake in signing an acknowledgment of paternity
- Newly discovered evidence (such as DNA results) showing non-paternity
- Lack of proper legal notice or due process during the original proceeding
Attorney Beaubien reviews each client’s case thoroughly to determine the proper legal strategy for challenging or modifying paternity. His experience in appellate and trial litigation allows him to handle complex challenges efficiently and with the high level of detail these cases demand.
Custody and Visitation After Paternity
Once paternity is established, the next step is determining the rights and responsibilities that come with it. Establishing paternity gives a father standing to request custody or visitation rights.
Attorney Beaubien assists fathers in seeking joint legal custody or physical custody arrangements that allow them to remain actively involved in their child’s life. He also represents mothers in ensuring that custody and visitation arrangements are fair and safe for the child.
Get Skilled Legal Representation from Our Paternity Lawyer in Warwick
Attorney Brett Beaubien’s practice stands out because of his personalized, hands-on representation. As a sole practitioner, every client he represents works directly with him throughout the entire case.
If you are facing questions about paternity in Warwick, whether you need to establish, challenge, or enforce a paternity determination, attorney Beaubien can help you take the right legal steps. He will fight to ensure that every child receives the legal recognition and support they are entitled to. To schedule your free consultation, call the Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien, LLC at (401) 246-8579 or contact us online.
Other Practice Areas
Contact The Law Office of Brett V. Beaubien today to get started with our Providence appeals attorney.