La Plata Paternity Lawyer

Establishing and Protecting Parental Rights in Southern Maryland

Establishing paternity is more than just determining who a child’s biological father is—it’s about securing legal rights and responsibilities for both the parent and the child. Whether you are a mother seeking child support, a father seeking custody or visitation, or a man disputing paternity, Fanning Law can help you navigate the legal process with clarity, care, and commitment to your best interests.

With over 30 years of family law experience in Charles County, La Plata paternity lawyer William C. Fanning, Jr. provides trusted legal guidance to parents facing paternity issues. We work with clients throughout Southern Maryland to resolve these important and often sensitive matters efficiently and respectfully.

Why Establishing Paternity Matters

Legal paternity comes with significant rights and responsibilities. For the child, it can mean access to financial support, health insurance, inheritance rights, and a more complete understanding of their identity. For the father, establishing paternity means the right to seek custody or visitation and participate meaningfully in the child’s upbringing.

Without legal paternity, a father has no enforceable rights to custody or visitation—even if he is the biological parent. Similarly, a mother cannot obtain a court order for child support unless paternity is established. Establishing paternity can secure child support for the child’s financial needs, allow the father to seek custody or visitation rights, ensure access to medical history and benefits, give the child the right to inherit from the father, and allow the father to be involved in key educational, medical, and personal decisions.

How to Establish Paternity in Maryland

Paternity in Maryland can be established in several ways, including:

1. Presumption at Birth – If the mother is married when the child is born, her spouse is presumed to be the legal father. This presumption can be challenged in court under certain circumstances.
2. Affidavit of Parentage – If the parents are not married, they can sign a voluntary Affidavit of Parentage at the hospital or later through the Maryland Department of Health. This affidavit has the same legal effect as a court order.
3. Court Order – If paternity is disputed or has not been voluntarily acknowledged, either parent can file a paternity action in court. The court may order genetic testing to determine biological parentage.

Once paternity is established, the court can issue orders relating to child support, custody, and visitation.

Contesting or Disputing Paternity in La Plata

In some cases, a man may believe he is not the child’s biological father and wish to contest legal paternity. Timing is critical in these situations. Once an Affidavit of Parentage is signed, a party typically has 60 days to rescind it. After that, the affidavit can only be challenged based on fraud, duress, or material mistake of fact.

If you have concerns about being named the legal father of a child, it is important to consult an attorney immediately. At Fanning Law, we can help you take the proper legal steps to request DNA testing, challenge prior acknowledgments, and protect your rights.

Paternity and Child Support

Establishing paternity is the first step toward obtaining a child support order. Once paternity is legally recognized, the court will use Maryland’s Child Support Guidelines to calculate how much support the father must pay based on income, childcare expenses, health insurance, and other factors.

If you are a mother seeking financial support for your child, we can assist you in filing a paternity action and securing the support your child is entitled to. If you are a father, we can help ensure that any support obligation is fair and based on accurate financial information.

Paternity and Custody/Visitation

Legal paternity also gives a father the right to petition for custody or parenting time. In Maryland, both parents are presumed to have equal rights to custody once paternity is established. The court will consider the best interests of the child in deciding custody and visitation, taking into account each parent’s ability to provide care, maintain a stable home, and foster a healthy relationship with the child.

At Fanning Law, we advocate for fathers who want to be involved in their child’s life as well as mothers seeking to protect their child’s safety and well-being. We help clients create parenting plans and custody schedules that serve the child’s needs and provide stability during this critical time.

Why Legal Help Is Important in Paternity Cases

Paternity cases involve complex legal and emotional issues. Whether you are establishing, disputing, or enforcing paternity-related rights, having experienced legal counsel can make all the difference. Attorney William C. Fanning, Jr. brings decades of insight to these sensitive matters. We can:

• File or defend a paternity action in court
• Coordinate DNA testing when appropriate
• Enforce or challenge an Affidavit of Parentage
• Assist with child support, custody, or visitation proceedings following a paternity finding
• Protect your parental rights and advocate for your child’s best interests

Serving Clients Across Charles County and Southern Maryland

From our office in La Plata, we serve clients throughout Charles County and the surrounding areas. We understand the local family courts and the community values that shape these important cases. Whether you are a mother seeking support, a father seeking involvement, or someone facing an uncertain paternity situation, we’re here to guide you with clarity and compassion.

You deserve certainty when it comes to your parental rights and obligations. Let Fanning Law help you take the legal steps needed to protect your future and your child’s well-being. Contact our La Plata paternity lawyer today to schedule a confidential consultation.