California. A former partner had a child 2.5 years ago. It was not clear who the father was, but her live-in boyfriend signed the B.C. She recently contacted me to find out if I wanted to get a DNA test. She still lives with the boyfriend. I am sure he would not want me to take the test. He claims he is the father and has raised the child for 2.5 years. I never contested that the child was his.
As I understand it, because they were not married, they would both have to sign a declaration of paternity in order to get his name on the B.C. Also because it has been more than 2 years, and he has held the child out as his own from the beginning, that he is legally the father. With all it's rights and responsibilities.
I am wondering if paternity can still be questioned? Can I demand a paternity test and get the rights and responsibilities of fatherhood that are held by the boyfriend currently? Can the mother demand a paternity test to determine fatherhood and require me to pay child support? Am I looking at child support w/out visitation?
I have read several posts discussing similar issues but I have not been able to piece it together. I want to know where I stand? That way I can make a decision on what I should do? I have let the mother make all the decisions so far, but she is a wild card, and I cannot have her in control of my destiny if I can help it. My family(not married) doesn't know about this or the past relationship, so if I am out of the picture, I would like to keep it that way.
Thank you for your time and your thoughts.
As I understand it, because they were not married, they would both have to sign a declaration of paternity in order to get his name on the B.C. Also because it has been more than 2 years, and he has held the child out as his own from the beginning, that he is legally the father. With all it's rights and responsibilities.
I am wondering if paternity can still be questioned? Can I demand a paternity test and get the rights and responsibilities of fatherhood that are held by the boyfriend currently? Can the mother demand a paternity test to determine fatherhood and require me to pay child support? Am I looking at child support w/out visitation?
I have read several posts discussing similar issues but I have not been able to piece it together. I want to know where I stand? That way I can make a decision on what I should do? I have let the mother make all the decisions so far, but she is a wild card, and I cannot have her in control of my destiny if I can help it. My family(not married) doesn't know about this or the past relationship, so if I am out of the picture, I would like to keep it that way.
Thank you for your time and your thoughts.