Traveling DNA test site makes waves in Massachusetts

May 30, 2013

Traveling DNA test site makes waves in Massachusetts

Article provided by DiBella Law Offices, P.C.
Visit us at http://www.dibellalawpc.com

A traveling DNA test site made an appearance in downtown Boston recently, causing a stir among passersby. The mobile clinic, a modified recreational vehicle emblazoned with the slogan "Who's Your Daddy?", had pedestrians lining up to take pictures. The vehicle's owner and operator told Boston Magazine that the truck's bold paint job helps break the ice on an often-taboo subject by getting people laughing and talking about paternity.

The traveling test site is run by a New York-based company called Health Street. According to the company's website, it is equipped with facilities to provide on-the-spot DNA testing services, which are typically performed with a cheek swab. Test results are usually available in a few days.

What is paternity?

Although paternity is often spoken of in terms of DNA, the issue involves more than just the genetic relationship between father and child. Paternity refers to a set of legal rights and responsibilities that a father has with regard to his children. In Massachusetts, paternity can be established in a number of different ways depending on the circumstances.

When a woman is married at the time she gives birth in Massachusetts, her husband is automatically regarded as the child's father in the eyes of the law. In these cases, the husband will be named on the child's birth certificate and no further steps are necessary to establish paternity.

On the other hand, when a mother is unmarried at the time of birth, Massachusetts law provides that the child will have no legal father until the parents take steps to establish paternity.

Unmarried fathers and paternity

When a child is born to unmarried parents in Massachusetts, there are two different ways of establishing paternity.

The first option is to voluntarily establish paternity by having both parents sign a document called a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage. Both parents are required to sign the form in front of a notary, and they must file the signed form with the Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records. Once this is done, the man will be considered the legal father of the child and his name can be added to the birth certificate along with the mother's.

If either parent refuses to sign the Voluntary Acknowledgement of paternity, it is necessary to obtain a court order in order to establish paternity of a child born to unmarried parents in Massachusetts. This process, which can be initiated by either parent, involves asking a judge to order mandatory genetic testing.

Why establishing paternity matters

When a child's parents aren't married to one another, establishing paternity can provide a number of legal rights and benefits to the child as well as the parents. For example, establishing paternity secures the child's right to receive financial support from both parents, and also allows the child access to government and employer-provided benefits like Social Security, health insurance and government assistance through the father. In addition, by establishing paternity, unmarried fathers in Massachusetts can help protect their right to spend time with their children and be involved in important decisions about their care and upbringing by seeking custody or visitation.

Contact a lawyer for help with paternity cases

Establishing paternity is an important decision that carries great responsibility as well as great rewards. Therefore, unmarried parents in Massachusetts should make sure they understand the full scope of the consequences involved before taking this important step -- particularly if they have any doubts about the identity of the child's biological father. To learn more about parental rights and paternity in Massachusetts, contact an attorney with broad experience in family law and paternity issues.