Q: What steps do I need to take to have a paternity test done?
I dated a girl 3 years ago. We broke up and 6 months later she said she was pregnant with my child. She cut off communication and I never met or saw the child. She lives in Georgia and I live in Florida. For the past 3 years I've tried contacting her and her family begging to be able to meet my son with no response. I just really want to meet him but first I'd like to see if I am truly the father. Seeing that I live in Florida and she lives in Georgia what options do I have?
A: You can file an action to legitimatize, and in that petition you can request that the Court order paternity testing. The Court will then sign an order for the parties to appear for testing and if the child is yours, you can move forward with legitimizing and in that same action, you can request some form of custody & visitation. They will also award child support. Therefore, when the case is finalized, you could have some form of custody (legal/physical), a parenting plan that outlines visitation, and then a monthly child support obligation. And once that order is signed, she will have to produce the child for your visitation or she could be found in contempt of court. Getting a court order is the only way to try and ensure visitation, if the custodial parent refuses to produce the child. I would suggest speaking directly with an attorney to determine where to file, and how to proceed.
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A: You can't force a DNA test unless and until you file for legitimation. Once there is a DNA test ordered and you are the father, the court will address parenting time and child support.
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