On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Paternity/Child Support on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

Preparing for a new baby comes with quite the to do list. Infants will need clothes, furniture, car seats and all sorts of special gadgets to make tasks like bathing and feeding safe and efficient. If the expectant parents are not married, there will probably be some discussion about establishing a Missouri child support order. Before this happens, it is a good idea to officially establish paternity. 

There are several ways to go about establishing paternity. Technology has seen major advances in recent years, and now a paternity test can be done before a baby is even born. This test can help a father feel confident as he prepares to raise and support his child. 

A prenatal paternity test does not harm the baby, and can be done quickly and painlessly by a medical professional. Since the baby’s DNA can be found in the mother’s bloodstream, an expectant mother just needs to have a blood sample taken. The man believed to be the father then gets a swab test done. The baby’s DNA is compared to that of the mother and the father, and medical professionals can confirm that a man is indeed the biological father of the baby. 

If a Missouri parent wants help establishing paternity to begin the process of establishing, modifying or enforcing a child support order, an experienced attorney can provide assistance. An attorney can help a client learn what options are available for paternity testing that conform to legal standards. Once paternity has been officially established, an attorney can help get a child support order in place so parents can ensure that a new baby will be financially provided for with the help of both parents.