New Jersey Attorneys Guide You Through Paternity Matters

Sorting out issues of paternity, custody and support

At Murano & Roth, LLC, we believe that men and women who are not married and find themselves in a dispute over their child deserve a high-caliber attorney who can get to the heart of the issue. We understand the special circumstances of unmarried parents and their rights and responsibilities under New Jersey law. Unmarried parents regularly seek our counsel because our attorneys have a reputation for vigorously protecting our clients' interests in disputes over child support and child custody.

Establishing paternity in New Jersey

Paternity and the father's parental rights are established or presumed in one or more of the following ways:

• The parents are married to each other when the child is born.(This creates a presumption of paternity).
• The father agrees that he is the father and signs a Certificate of Parentage, a legal document available at the hospital or through an attorney or family court.(This creates a presumption of paternity).
• Genetic testing proves fatherhood 
• A judge issues an order determining paternity
• The mother and natural father marry each other after the child is born and update the birth record. (This creates a presumption of paternity).

The criteria for determining child support and child custody are the same for married and unmarried parents. The needs of the child, the parents' assets and earning capacity, the parents' education and responsibility for daily care of the children all play a role in the judge's determination of child support.

When it comes to custody, New Jersey family courts typically encourage joint custody, but judges understand that each situation is unique and make decisions based on what is best for the family in a given circumstance.

When parentage is disputed

We can advise you on the legal approach that best suits your needs, whether you are a mother seeking financial support or a father seeking visitation or custody or who disputes paternity. We handle every paternity case personally, which means you meet directly with an attorney who will answer your questions, readily explain the entire, often complex, process and respond promptly to phone calls and e-mail.

Contact an effective paternity lawyer today for a free consultation

Securing your rights in paternity disputes demands quality legal advice and aggressive representation in court by a skilled attorney. Contact Murano & Roth, LLC online or at 201.265.3400 for attorneys who understand mothers' and fathers' rights. We offer a free 30-minute consultation.

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