I have 2 kids, im on the birth certificate for one, and im not on the other, I do believe I am her father, but if i'm going to be paying support for the next 15 years I'd like to be 100% positive you know? so i was wondering when i ask for proof of paternity, who pays for the paternity test? does she? since shes the one wanting support?
2006-11-06 08:41:07 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Just went through this the court pays it upfront. If you are not the father the mother has to pay the court. If you are the father you have to pay the court back. No worries though they let you make an arangement I pay 10.00 a month
2006-11-06 08:44:59 · answer #1 · answered by buddabear38 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This will depend upon a number of factors, not the least of which is the jurisdictions in which you each reside. In essence, however, while a judge can rule that any particular person pay for such a test (the mother or the father or both), the cost usually falls to the one asking the question in the first place. Plus, it should be done long before any child support hearing. It, in effect, will become the EVIDENCE that either of you will bring to support claims when ironing out the issue itself. It will not, in and of itself, be a defense, only evidentiary.
You will most likely need to abide by the child support agreement adjudicated at this coming court venture, then get the test later, and if the test somehow shows you are not the father, you'll need a new court date after that for a new result to be reached, one you will have to initiate. Get all this done quickly. Hold-overs granted by the court in such cases are rare, basically because there are young mouths to feed in the interim. Failure to pay child support while morally questionable is a definite drain on the resources of the judiciary and they do not take lightly to people asking for extensions and trying to use lack of a paternity test as a false defense.
While it might all sound too complicated and a pain in the neck, I assure you that the cost of multiple court dates, paternity tests, and your time would be immeasurably tiny compared to 18 years of payments for a child you've not fathered. Sure, in a perfect world, I think we'd all like the love of our lives to be with us in bliss. Failing that, in a second most perfect world, we'd want to pay child support for any child we love, whether or not they were ours by birth. Failing both is what we have now. Child support should always have the supporting, legal documentation drawn up by governing bodies and agreed to and understood by all parties involved. This does not, however, mean that child support is a matter of law alone. It is a measure of the heart, sticking to one's own worth.
Whether you wind up paying for one child or two, always pay by check. Always make certain the bank sends you copies of the cancelled checks, and always pay a little more than what is agreed upon, no matter how difficult. If your wages are garnished, keep the records of that. Never, ever, pay cash! This will eliminate any return trips to court over child support and ultimately free your conscience enough to have a relationship with your children.
2006-11-06 08:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by wolvensense 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boy are you cheap. If you are the father go with it. You can always have the paternity test done sometime while you are caring for them. You do take them and care for them don't you?
Who is on the birth certificate?
2006-11-06 08:45:49 · answer #3 · answered by Flagger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. But if I had to guess, you would have to pay it. You've accepted this child as yours all this time, so she's correct in asking you for child support. If you require proof now before you pay it, you should have to pay for the test.
If the child isn't yours biologically, would that change how you feel about the child? Isn't child support about being responsible and taking care of your children? What would it do to the little girl (I assume she's 3?) if you suddenly weren't her "daddy" anymore? What would it do to you? Is it worth it?
2006-11-06 08:45:14 · answer #4 · answered by sassybree1979 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No that would have to be you, Or if it is ordered by the judge you might be able to get help from the courts. But wouldn't you like to know for sure that your the father?
2006-11-06 08:50:21 · answer #5 · answered by patty_thackrey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you might want to consult an attorney, but I believe it is up to you to prove or disprove paternity since you are the one with the question about it. It would probably be worth the expense.
2006-11-06 08:45:13 · answer #6 · answered by Ms. Cranky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are requesting this in court, usually the court pays for it, and if you are NOT the father, then she has to repay the court costs.
2006-11-06 08:46:32 · answer #7 · answered by barefootangel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's a lot of money on the line, I'd recommend just to offer to pay for the test.
2006-11-06 08:43:37 · answer #8 · answered by Jeremy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can always ask the court who pays if ur not 100% sure!!!!if they dont offer any help then u will have to pay!!
2006-11-06 08:47:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They may do the test for free because its in question. Its better to know than not.
2006-11-06 08:44:41 · answer #10 · answered by JB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋