South Bay Paternity Lawyer
The Law Offices of Thomas M. Polinger can represent either party in a paternity action. These can be sticky situations because two people who barely knew each other or thought they had severed ties with, are suddenly drawn together again over the needs of a child.
Experienced family law attorney Thomas Polinger litigates and resolves paternity, custody and related matters in the South Bay cities and throughout Los Angeles County. He represents:
- Men denying paternity — Generally a DNA test is accurate proof that a man is or is not "Dad." We can arrange paternity testing and counsel you if the test comes back positive.
- Men seeking custody or visitation — An unwed father has the same visitation and custody rights as a man who was married and divorced from the mother. The legal test is the same — what is in the "best interests" of the child.
- Women seeking child support — A positive paternity test most often creates a legal presumption that the tested party is legally the father of the minor child. This presumption opens the door for an action for child support and allows the presumed father to file an action for custody or visitation.
Contact us today to discuss your rights and obligations under California paternity law.
Custody, Visitation and Child Support
For Fathers — In our experience, fathers who truly want to be part of the child's life can get visitation, joint or sole custody. Once paternity is established, Mr. Polinger can help you petition for a formal court order of paternity to establish and maintain parental rights. Many fathers wrongly presume that they have lesser or different rights from the mother. This is not the case. Fathers have the same rights and obligations with their children as do mothers under California law. The law is intended to be "gender neutral". The court will look to determine what is in the "best interests" of the children.
For Mothers — We can initiate a paternity action and obtain a court order if necessary to force a DNA test. Child support commences only (in almost all cases) from the date the paternity suit is filed or a later date and is not retroactive to the child's birth. We can then represent you in custody hearings to protect the best interests of your child. We have also handled termination of parental rights, if the father does not wish to be part of your child's life and you are willing to forego child support.
We understand that a paternity situation can be uncomfortable or even hostile, especially if new spouses or partners are in the picture. Mr. Polinger helps keep the focus on the needs of the child and building a healthy, workable co-parenting relationship.
Thomas Polinger has practiced in child custody and paternity law for 30 years. Call our Hermosa Beach law office at 310-697-8868 or contact us online.
