Q: Should I get a paternity test?
I was with this woman for awhile and she was married she ended up pregnant and told me that is was mine. She then proceeded to tell me that she had a miscarriage. I found out recently that she is still pregnant and with her husband what do I do?
A: The husband is legally deemed to be the father and has a legal duty to support the child. If a paternity test shows you to be the father, then you will be paying child support at least until the child is 18. You could get visiting time with the child, maybe a couple times a week, but not enough to build a real relationship. If she is not pushing it, you might be wise to skip the test. But she could go to court later to confirm if you are the father and pay child support. Consider whether you want the financial responsibility, possibly $50,000 or more over the next 18 years. After the child is born, you could go to your local juvenile court to file for parental rights and a test to confirm if you are the father, and then pay child support. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to consult a local family law attorney to review your situation and advise you of your options.
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