Paternity Attorney Charlotte, NC
Paternity Attorney Charlotte, NC | Hefferon Law, PLLC
Establishing paternity — the legal determination of who a child's father is — is the foundation for child support, custody and visitation rights, inheritance, and a child's right to know both sides of their family.
At Hefferon Law, PLLC, we help both mothers and fathers navigate the paternity process in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County — whether that means establishing paternity to secure rights and support, or contesting a determination that doesn't reflect the biological truth.
The simplest route is a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment (VPA) — a form both parents sign confirming who the father is. It's typically offered at the hospital at birth and has the same legal effect as a court order once filed. A VPA can be rescinded within 60 days of signing, but after that it can only be challenged in court on specific grounds.
When paternity is disputed, the court can order DNA testing. North Carolina uses a 99% or higher probability threshold to establish paternity by genetic evidence. A man is also legally presumed to be the father of a child born during his marriage to the child's mother — a presumption that requires a court process to rebut.
For mothers and children, establishing paternity creates the legal basis for child support, health insurance coverage, inheritance rights, and the child's right to know both sides of their family and medical history.
For fathers, establishing paternity creates legal standing to seek custody or visitation — and the right to be a recognized part of their child's life. Without it, even an actively involved father has no enforceable rights.
When a man has been identified as a father through a VPA, court order, or marital presumption — but isn't the biological father — contesting paternity requires a court proceeding and typically genetic testing. Courts weigh the biological facts against the best interests of the child and the existence of any established parent-child relationship. The longer a father-child relationship has existed, the more courts consider the child's interest in maintaining it — even against contrary DNA evidence.
If you have doubts about paternity, contact us as early as possible. Time matters significantly in these situations.
Establishing paternity is a prerequisite to seeking custody or visitation for an unmarried father in North Carolina. Once paternity is established, custody is determined under the same best interests standard that applies in all NC custody cases.
Child Custody in Charlotte, NC
Every Child Deserves to Know Both Parents
If you have questions about your situation, we're ready to help. Call us at (704) 610-4795, email info@hefflawpllc.com, or fill out our contact form and we'll be in touch within one business day.
We serve clients throughout Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Union County, Cabarrus County, Stanly County, Gaston County, and surrounding communities.