When a man is told that he is the father of a child, he may not be sure that he really is. In that case, it makes sense for him to request a DNA test to verify if he is or is not related to the baby.
Sometimes, men don’t want to be with the mother of that child or aren’t interested in becoming fathers. In that case, they may refuse a DNA test and state that they’re not interested, but the mother still has the right to seek out support from the court.
The Florida Statutes state that courts are allowed to require the child, mother and potential father to submit to DNA testing to determine the likelihood of paternity. That means, specifically, that the court can require you to take a DNA test if it feels there is enough supporting evidence that you could be the father of the child.
Genetic testing is about getting definitive answers
Genetic testing helps identify a child’s biological father for the purpose of child support as well as to make sure that the father obtains the rights and responsibilities of having a child. The test is not difficult. It’s usually done with a simple swab that is placed inside the cheek. The collected DNA is tested at a laboratory, and the results come back with around 99% accuracy. If the results state 99% or higher, the man is the father.
Once a person is identified as the father, a final order of paternity will be established by the court, and the child’s birth certificate will be updated.
In essence, you really can’t avoid a paternity test — but you can take steps to protect your rights and interests. Working with an experienced family law attorney is key.
