paternity testing questions

[redsox1967]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I have a situation here with a pregnant girlfriend who is telling me that I am the father to be. I have some doubts about all this and I am really not sure how to proceed. Yes, I have been involved with her, but I am not the only guy who she has been with in the recent months. She steadfastly claims that I am the only guy who could be the father, and has told several of her friends that I am the father.

I would love to be the father to this child, and I am overjoyed about the situation, but I am plagued with doubts and don't want to get too emotionally bonded to this situation unless I KNOW FOR SURE. If I know for sure, I will be able to put my all into this and support mother and baby no matter what the costs. And, that is my true desire. I WANT the baby to be mine, and will be broken-hearted if I find out otherwise. I am in love with the woman, and although the situation is not 100% ideal, I am committed to making it work - as long as I can be sure it is my baby.

She is approx. 4 weeks pregnant. How could I go about determining the paternity of the baby at this time, or is it even possible? She swears up and down that it is me, and she wants to go to my parents and break the news to them. I am hesitant to do this unless I am sure.

How should I handle this and can I legally and ethically determine paterinty this early in the pregnancy?? Thanks so much.

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I have a situation here with a pregnant girlfriend who is telling me that I am the father to be. I have some doubts about all this and I am really not sure how to proceed. Yes, I have been involved with her, but I am not the only guy who she has been with in the recent months. She steadfastly claims that I am the only guy who could be the father, and has told several of her friends that I am the father.

I would love to be the father to this child, and I am overjoyed about the situation, but I am plagued with doubts and don't want to get too emotionally bonded to this situation unless I KNOW FOR SURE. If I know for sure, I will be able to put my all into this and support mother and baby no matter what the costs. And, that is my true desire. I WANT the baby to be mine, and will be broken-hearted if I find out otherwise. I am in love with the woman, and although the situation is not 100% ideal, I am committed to making it work - as long as I can be sure it is my baby.

She is approx. 4 weeks pregnant. How could I go about determining the paternity of the baby at this time, or is it even possible? She swears up and down that it is me, and she wants to go to my parents and break the news to them. I am hesitant to do this unless I am sure.

How should I handle this and can I legally and ethically determine paterinty this early in the pregnancy?? Thanks so much.

you can't. i'm sorry. it's not good for the pregnancy to get a DNA test without causing harm to the baby. i doubt any doctor would CONSIDER doing so at this stage.

once the baby is born, file to establish paternity and request a DNA test. that's all the option you have at this point.

 

[Silverplum]

you can't. i'm sorry. it's not good for the pregnancy to get a DNA test without causing harm to the baby. i doubt any doctor would CONSIDER doing so at this stage.

once the baby is born, file to establish paternity and request a DNA test. that's all the option you have at this point.

True.

Also, you have no legal rights as an unmarried father. Any money you give her outside of a court order is considered a "gift." You may attend any doctor appointments she allows, and she may cut you off at any time she chooses. She may decide to allow your involvement without court order, and she may not.

I urge you to read many posts in the Custody and Child Support forums. Many, many posts.