Can A Father Deny Paternity test

Can A Father Deny A Paternity Test?

Yes. An unmarried father can deny paternity of a child. Although a father has the right to acknowledge a child. It does not mean there will not be any consequences for not acknowledging a child.

Why would a father want deny paternity testing?

There can be several reasons why a father may want to deny paternity:

1. When a father questions the biological relatedness to a child. Suspicions may occur due to arguments with the mother of the child or physical appearance of the child may cause questions to be asked by the presumed father, relatives and friends.
2. Responsibility: Some fathers become fearful of responsibility and attempt to avoid all forms emotional and financial obligations. Fathers who may not have their life in order or have who may trust issues sometimes fear being responsible for a child if they believe their future is uncertain.
3. Arguments: Contentious relationships that are based on solving problems by having sexual intercourse. Oftentimes after periods of time being apart sometime causes a father to question the paternity of the child.
4. Divorce: In some divorces due to a wife’s infidelity paternity of child may be called into question.

During or before the legal proceedings begin. The husband may seek to perform a paternity test to prove he is the biological father of his child or children.

5. Maturity: There are many circumstances when the father is young and gets a female pregnant. The father’s parents may initially question paternity. So the parents may seek to have the mother perform a paternity test.

Are there any legal consequences to denying paternity?

Yes. The legal consequences can come into play. If the mother of the child decides to seek child support. For example, The mother of the child can file a petition with the court and a Judge will issue a court order that will be sent to the alleged father.

If the alleged father decides to ignore the court order he will be held in contempt and will automatically be obligated to pay child support.

Another example,is if an unmarried man for a period of time believed and acted as a father to a child. The man acting as a father to a child that may not be his own and becoming legally responsible for the child is known as paternity by estoppel.

These are some examples of what can occur legally to a father who may attempt to deny the paternity of a child.
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Conclusion

Paternity denial by some fathers is common occurrence in society today. It does not mean that a man is wrong for questioning the paternity of the child. The most important thing is, knowing who the biological father of the child is. Having a biological father in a child’s life helps the child understand themselves personally and they get the support financially and spiritually as well.