For parents dealing with child support disputes in Minnesota, one key tool that could help to lead to a resolution could be a DNA paternity test. These tests have an accuracy level of over 99.99 percent, and they can conclusively establish paternity of the child in question.
When child support is being sought for a child who was born outside of a marriage, there is no presumption of legal fatherhood if a father’s name isn’t listed on the birth certificate. This means that in order to establish paternity, an alleged father must either choose to attest on an official form that he is the father or receive an order of paternity. In order to obtain a definitive answer about the child’s paternity, a DNA test is a quick yet effective process that can lead to a paternity order being issued by a court or a state agency.
Once legal paternity is established, a child support order according to state guidelines can be pursued. The legal father also, of course, has the right to pursue visitation and custody of his child. DNA testing can help either party to find conclusive answers to a question of parentage in a dispute over child support or custody.
In most cases, the process for a DNA test is simple. A family law attorney can request the paternity test, and lawyers for both parties can coordinate the sample collection. A professional swipes the inside of the cheek or mouth of the alleged father and the child with special swabs in order to accumulate cells for the DNA test. This method is not invasive and causes no pain. It does not require a blood test, but has virtually equal accuracy. DNA collection at a certified test site will also help to ensure that the results are admissible in court.