Madison, WI Paternity Lawyer

When two unmarried people have a child together, they often want to make sure that both parents’ rights are protected. Other times, the two parties may disagree on how best to support and make decisions for their child. Either parent may file an action to establish paternity.

There are a number of different ways that paternity can be established, and it is important that both parties understand how their rights and responsibilities will be affected by doing so. For example, paternity can be established through a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or through a court order after the parties have completed genetic testing to confirm or deny paternity. At Balisle Family Law Legal Counsel, S.C., our Madison, WI paternity attorneys work with unmarried parents to help them establish paternity for a variety of different reasons. Establishing paternity allows families in complicated situations to make sure that their children are cared for, both during the course of the relationship and after that relationship has ended.

Why Should I Establish Paternity?

Once paternity has been established, one or both of the parents can then ask the court to enter an order establishing any of the following issues:

• Legal custody
• Physical placement (visitation)
• Child support and variable costs
• Health insurance coverage for the child

Just like in divorce cases, a court can appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) to represent the best interests of the child. A GAL will assist the parties and court with reaching a resolution on these matters. We can help you resolve these important matters through settlement negotiations and in court, if necessary.

Our Madison paternity attorneys have more than 49 years of experience representing both married and unmarried families in disputed paternity matters. At Balisle Family Law Legal Counsel, S.C., our lawyers have worked with many unmarried families with children to achieve fair solutions that fit their individual circumstances.