PATERNITY ATTORNEY AUSTIN TX
Establishing paternity in Texas is the legal foundation for child support, custody rights, inheritance, and medical benefits. Whether you are a mother seeking to establish a legal father for child support purposes, a father seeking to assert parental rights, or someone contesting an incorrect paternity determination, our Austin paternity attorneys guide you through the process in Travis County courts.
What We Can Help You With
Paternity establishment
Filing a Suit to Establish Paternity or using the Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) process
Genetic testing
Court-ordered or voluntary DNA testing — admissibility and interpretation in Texas courts
Custody after paternity
Establishing conservatorship and possession rights once paternity is legally determined
Child support establishment
Calculating and ordering child support after paternity is confirmed
Paternity fraud defense
Contesting paternity after an incorrect AOP or court order based on new DNA evidence
Fathers' rights
Protecting unmarried fathers' rights to visitation and conservatorship after paternity is established
Frequently Asked Questions
How is paternity established in Texas?▾
Through a voluntary Acknowledgment of Paternity (AOP) signed at the hospital or later, or through a court order based on genetic testing. The AOP has the same legal effect as a court order once signed.
What if I signed an AOP but am not the biological father?▾
An AOP can be contested within 60 days (or up to 4 years for fraud) through a petition to adjudicate parentage. Genetic testing can be ordered by the court. Contact an attorney immediately if you have doubts.
Can a father be added to a birth certificate without the mother's consent?▾
Through a court order after a paternity case establishes the legal father — yes. A voluntary AOP requires both parents' signatures. A court order can compel paternity establishment and birth certificate amendment.
Does establishing paternity automatically create custody rights?▾
No. Paternity establishment creates the legal foundation for custody claims, but a separate conservatorship order is needed to formally establish rights, duties, and a possession schedule.