Canton Paternity Lawyer

Canton Paternity Attorney

Paternity formally establishes a father-child relationship, giving the father legal rights and assigning legal responsibilities. Whether you’re a mother or a father, an experienced Canton paternity lawyer can help manage a paternity case and safeguard your rights. Connect with a Canton family law attorney as your ally to ensure fair decisions are reached and to protect against an improperly handled paternity action.

About Us

At Upchurch Law LLC, we fight to protect your interests and can help with paternity assistance. As a 6th-generation Georgian, Kayla L. Upchurch understands the unique needs of our community, our culture, and our residents. After graduating from Georgia College as the Valedictorian, Kayla graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Since graduation, Kayla has worked tirelessly to protect families, and when you need a paternity lawyer, give us a call. She makes sure our clients have legal and emotional support, and she provides plenty of information so you can make informed decisions. Kayla negotiates to secure favorable outcomes and is ready to put her experience to work for you. If you need help or want to hear more about our firm’s services, schedule a meeting right away.

Georgia Paternity Basics

Whether initiated by the father or the mother, paternity cases in Georgia typically involve complex legal procedures. The Peach State provides several ways for fathers to establish paternity. A child born during a marriage has an automatic presumption of paternity, but unmarried parents can formally establish paternity if both parents sign what’s called a Paternity Acknowledgement (PA) form. It can be completed at the hospital following a birth.

On the other hand, if a dispute exists about paternity or if there’s any uncertainty about the identity of the father, parents may seek DNA testing by a local court. Once a father’s identity has been established, the court may formally establish paternity. Additional steps can then grant parenting time rights for a father, which are not automatically provided.

Canton Paternity Data

Fathers may want to establish paternity to protect their custody goals or right to visitation. Mothers may want to ensure that both parents provide financially and emotionally for a child. Approximately 39% of all children living in Georgia as of 2022 lived in single-parent households, which is higher than the national rate of 34%. Formal paternity can help connect a child with crucial financial resources and additional family.

Georgia prioritizes establishing paternity. As a result, in 2022, our state recorded a Paternity Establishment Percentage PEP of 92.66%, and courts were able to confirm paternity for the overwhelming majority of all children born to unmarried parents. Canton has about 4,280 households with at least one person under age 18. With so many local minors, fatherhood may play a vital role in our community’s future.

Contact a Lawyer

With these crucial matters, an attorney can guide you throughout a paternity case. They can:

• Ensure compliance with court rules and procedures
• Establish child support orders
• Fight for child custody and visitation arrangements
• Safeguard parental rights
• Ensure conclusive paternity
• Challenge paternity claims, if necessary
• Investigate the chain of custody for DNA testing
• Provide peace of mind
• Provide clear advice
• Negotiate on your behalf
• Protect against future issues

Contact a Canton paternity attorney for help with each step of the legal process. Whether you’re a mother or a potential father, paternity concerns can be difficult to work through without legal guidance. Contact an attorney confidentially about your legal options.

FAQs

Can My Lawyer Communicate on My Behalf?

Yes, one of the many reasons to hire an attorney is so they can communicate on your behalf with the child’s other potential parent or their attorney. If the process becomes contentious and it’s challenging to remain calm when speaking with the other parties involved in the process, an attorney can help.

Reach out to Upchurch Law LLC to hear about our communication assistance. Kayla is a zealous advocate for her clients when necessary, but she’s compassionate in the office

How Much Does a Paternity Lawyer Cost in Canton?

Lawyers licensed in Georgia set their own attorney’s fees, and the cost of establishing paternity depends on case-specific factors. So there aren’t any financial surprises, it’s important to set up an initial consultation with an attorney you’re considering hiring. That gives the attorney a chance to explain what’s included in their legal services and to discuss how they can help in your specific situation. Reach out when you’re ready to set up an initial meeting with Upchurch Law LLC.

What Does Formal Paternity Actually Establish?

When you establish formal paternity, it establishes parental rights. This means you formally establish a father-child relationship and give the father formal legal rights. Also, establishing paternity creates parental responsibilities, including obligations to pay child support.

For reliable aid in establishing formal paternity, call a trusted attorney like Kayla at Upchurch Law LLC immediately. Kayla can discuss the paternity process in detail and explore your legal options based on your specific situation. She provides information tailored to your circumstances.

Is There a Deadline to Establish Paternity in Canton, Georgia?

No, there is no deadline to establish paternity for biological fathers. However, it’s important to act quickly since a delay can impact your legal rights, including custody and parenting time. To safeguard your parental rights, start the paternity process as soon as you can.

Also, if you don’t establish paternity while the child is still a minor, it becomes increasingly complicated to establish paternity. Reach out to a lawyer to discuss your individual situation.

Hire a Paternity Lawyer Serving Canton Residents – Connect With Upchurch Law LLC

When you need to hire a paternity lawyer with experience helping Canton parents, Upchurch Law LLC should be your first call. Kayla L. Upchurch has helped parents across Cherokee County formally establish paternity and protect their parental rights.

She’s resolution-focused and can do what’s right for your family and your individual interests. She listens to your parenting goals and uses her extensive experience with essentially every kind of paternity case to improve your odds for a favorable outcome. When you need someone to be aggressive, Kayla isn’t afraid to go to court.

Our office is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Canton.  Contact us to set up a free initial consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer.