Don’t Believe These 5 Paternity Test Myths

If you’ve been involved in any kind of child support or child custody proceedings, you’ve probably heard the word “paternity” mentioned more than once. When it comes to the rights and responsibilities of parents and children, establishing legal paternity is an important first step. The relationship between mother and child is usually obvious, but the identification of a father can come with complications. Without legal proof of a child’s biological father, the child may not be eligible to receive the financial and emotional support that they need to grow up healthy and strong.

In any legal case involving minor children and the desired support of those children, a Melbourne paternity lawyer will often order for the determination of paternity through laboratory testing. There are some misconceptions surrounding paternity and paternity testing, specifically. Here are some of the most commonly believed myths surrounding paternity tests:

You can only test after the birth of the child

While post-birth testing is the most routine and least expensive, some people opt for “prenatal” paternity testing before the mother has given birth. This comes with more risks and costs, but depending on your case, it might be the right option.

The father must be present for the test

It’s certainly more convenient to test any potential father when he’s around in person, however, there is a way to obtain accurate results without him. Using advanced DNA technology, samples from potential grandparents can be used to establish paternity too.

Paternity testing takes a long time

Out of the many consumer genetic testing options out there today, paternity tests are some of the easiest and quickest. To get started, a simple mouth swab is all you need, and most laboratory turnaround times are less than two weeks. This will depend on the lab used, and your lawyer’s timeline.

Paternity testing ruins relationships

It might be concerning to think about the “true” paternity of a child, especially when other people are involved in the child’s life. However, this information can be extremely valuable in the legal system, whether or not you decide to move forward with an adoption, divorce, or other family law process.

All DNA tests are admissible in court

There are dozens of different companies offering paternity tests, and many of them are for “peace of mind” only, and cannot be used in a legal setting. Make sure you speak with your attorney to find a laboratory and test type that you can use in your child custody or child support hearing.

Want to learn more about paternity testing? Get in touch with Harnage Law today and ask for your free consultation!