What is Legitimation?

When a child is born out of wedlock, the father has to prove his paternity by way of a DNA test. This will confirm that he’s indeed the father in the event that child support has to be arranged for the child. Although a DNA test states that a man is the father, legitimation establishes his parentage, giving him other legal rights over the child. The process of legitimation involves a legal aspect that should be handled by an Atlanta family law firm. Family law attorneys in Atlanta GA help their clients by showing how legitimation can impact their lives and how to start the process. North Georgia Family Lawyers, LLC will answer your questions related to this matter.

How Does Legitimation Work?
When a father seeks to legitimize a child, there are a few main options he has. A child needs to be legitimized if the parents are unmarried at the time of birth.

The first option he has is to marry the mother before the baby is born.

If that is not the route they wish to take, there is an option of filing paperwork that establishes this fact. As long as the child is less than a year old, an Acknowledgement of Legitimation can be signed and notarized by the parents. This document, usually offered in the hospital at the time of birth, can be filed with the Acknowledgement of Paternity.

The option to submit a petition in court is also available.

The importance of legitimizing a child gives the child rights of inheritance and financial support, while allowing the father the right to petition for custody, if necessary.

Family law attorneys in Atlanta GA will give a full explanation of all that is required with this process.

If you are in need of an Atlanta Family Law Firm, contact North Georgia Family Lawyers, LLC. Our professionals can give you the legal advice you need for legitimation.