Atlanta, GA asked in Family Law, Child Custody, Child Support and Juvenile Law for Alabama

Q: I've recently been served a Paternity/CS summons. I'm willing to pay CS,can I avoid court, testing and visitation?

Willing to provide honest income info, but do not desire visitation or parental rights. I also do not wish to contact the other parent or appear in court. Is there a legal way to do this, such as voluntary child support?

2 Lawyer Answers
Sheila Crumley Field
Sheila Crumley Field
Answered
  • Divorce Lawyer
  • ANNISTON, AL
  • Licensed in Alabama

A: Yes. You can admit paternity and submit your proof of income and they will adjudicate you the father and it will be over. Contact the attorney for DHR whose name is one the paperwork you received. He will be able to help you.

Mitchell John Howie
Mitchell John Howie
Answered
  • Juvenile Law Lawyer
  • Huntsville, AL
  • Licensed in Alabama

A: You will need to contact an experienced family law attorney in your jurisdiction to address the specifics of your question. However, generally you can certainly agree to pay a certain amount of child support and not pursue your visitation rights. You are going to have to respond to the summons within the time allowed by law or a default judgment may be entered against you. And I would definitely encourage you to ensure the child is yours through proper DNA testing, the testing is cheap and easy and you certainly do not want to pay child support for many many years for a child if you do not know the child is yours.

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