Q: How to handle paternity uncertainty with DCCS in Georgia?
I am uncertain about the paternity of my child and currently have a DCCS case open for one potential father. The case has been open for a month, and DCCS is trying to locate him as he has moved to another state. The potential father has been unresponsive, and there is no child support order established yet. I want to know if I should wait for DCCS to locate him or if I should open a case against both potential fathers simultaneously to facilitate paternity establishment.
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A:
If you’re unsure who the father is, you don’t have to wait for DCCS to find one potential father before moving forward. You can let DCCS know that there may be more than one possible father and request paternity testing to help determine the biological parent. It’s better to be upfront now, rather than let the case stall while they try to locate someone who may not even be the father.
Georgia’s Division of Child Support Services can work with you to identify multiple potential fathers, but it’s important that you give them as much information as you can. They may be able to amend the existing case or help you open a new one, depending on the circumstances. If both men are possible fathers, establishing paternity through genetic testing is key before any child support order can be finalized.
It might feel overwhelming, but you’re doing the right thing by trying to sort this out. Keep records, respond to DCCS quickly, and let them know everything you know about both men. You’re not alone in this—DCCS has handled cases like this before, and the goal is to do what’s best for your child. Taking action now can bring clarity and support sooner rather than later.
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