Tulsa Paternity Lawyer

A Tulsa paternity lawyer helps establish or contest legal parentage, an issue that can shape child custody, visitation, and support obligations. Whether you want to establish your parental rights or need to receive financial support, these cases have weighty and long-term implications.

Experienced in family law and paternity matters for many years, the attorneys at Bundy Law have represented families with complex assets or business interests in paternity cases. We can help you navigate Oklahoma’s paternity process with skill, strategy, and compassion.

Hire a Paternity Lawyer

Establishing paternity has lasting effects on custody, visitation, and financial responsibilities. At Bundy Law, our experienced attorneys bring respected family law credentials to these important cases, including membership in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Whether you are a parent seeking to confirm rights or a professional with complex assets needing protection, our team provides clear, strategic guidance.

Clients rely on our depth of experience to resolve paternity matters with fairness, discretion, and proven legal skill.

Establishing Paternity Under Oklahoma Law

Paternity in Oklahoma is established under the Uniform Parentage Act (10 O.S. § 7700). There are a few ways a man can be legally determined to be a child’s parent, including by a voluntary acknowledgment signed at the hospital, genetic testing, or by court order. Paternity actions in Tulsa County are generally filed at the same time a parent files for custody and/or support.

In 2020, approximately 41% of births in the U.S. were to unmarried parents. The same report indicated that paternity-establishment services were interrupted for many programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for timely legal establishment.

A paternity action or judgment can have serious lifelong consequences for the child and parents, as it is the legal determination of who has the legal rights to the child for purposes of custody, support, and inheritance.

If paternity is established, there are typically two parents who have enforceable rights and duties to the child. This may be altered later in life due to termination or adoption. All subsequent orders in a family law matter are based on this initial determination. Therefore, it is important that paternity is established properly at the beginning.

Paternity and Child Custody Rights

Child custody rights and paternity are intrinsically related in Oklahoma. A biological father not recognized by law may not be able to exercise rights such as seeking visitation or decision-making power for a child. Tulsa County judges can issue orders for custody and parenting plans in accordance with a child’s best interests once paternity has been determined.

Many paternity or support cases in Tulsa coordinate with the Oklahoma DHS Child Support Services, Tulsa East office, located at 440 S Houston, where many support orders and paternity documentation are processed.

These cases can be complex and involve challenges such as parents living in different jurisdictions or business owners and professionals who may have non-traditional parenting time demands. Early establishment of custody rights through paternity gives fathers a chance to establish consistent and meaningful relationships with children.

Financial Responsibilities and Support

While establishing paternity in Tulsa can help determine who a child’s father is, it also legally obligates that parent to provide financial support. Once paternity is established in Oklahoma, the father can be required to help with child support, medical support, and other child-related costs.

The amount of child support, found in 43 O.S. § 118, is determined by a set of guidelines using a basic percentage of a person’s income. Professionals and business owners who earn a higher income can have their income adjusted to include bonuses, incentive pay, and business income.

Paternity also affects inheritance rights for a child, allowing them to receive a portion of family wealth or trusts. For high-net-worth families, paternity cases can have serious financial consequences that last for years.

FAQs

Q: How Is Paternity Established in Oklahoma?

A: In Oklahoma, paternity can be established by a court order, voluntary acknowledgment, or genetic testing. Legal rights and obligations like custody, visitation, and support arise from paternity establishment. It is critical for families with complex financial or professional interests to have paternity accurately and properly documented. Binding court orders about a child’s future and parental responsibilities can be issued after paternity is determined

Q: Can Paternity Be Challenged After It Has Already Been Established?

A: Yes, it is possible to challenge paternity even after it has already been established. Parents who want to challenge established paternity must adhere to strict deadlines while facing possible genetic test requests from the court.

The most frequent situation in these cases occurs when one parent mistakenly believes they are the child’s parent. Given that custody, child support, and inheritance rights are at stake in these cases, reopening an already established order is a complicated process.

Q: Does Paternity Affect Inheritance Rights?

A: Yes, paternity directly affects inheritance rights in Oklahoma. After paternity is legally established, a child can inherit from a parent. This can be of particular importance in families with trusts, family business interests, or substantial estates. On the other hand, where paternity has not been legally established, a child may be unable to inherit as they would otherwise be entitled. This can be a particular concern in wealthier families with complex assets.

Q: Can Paternity Be Established Before a Child Is Born?

A: Yes, paternity may be established prior to the birth of a child through court-approved genetic testing, but this is less common than after birth paternity testing. Parents may request early paternity establishment in specific cases, such as inheritance planning, military deployment, or complex custody situations.

Courts evaluate the medical risks of prenatal tests while determining the need for early paternity resolution. A pre-birth paternity conclusion helps to define parental rights and duties before the baby is born in select scenarios.

Contact a Tulsa Paternity Attorney

Oklahoma paternity cases have a permanent impact on both parents’ and the child’s lives. It is crucial to know the legal implications of parental rights, visitation and schedule, financial support, and inheritance. Judges in Tulsa County prioritize the well-being of children in every case they handle.

Paternity can be voluntarily established by acknowledgment of paternity, genetic testing, or, if necessary, contested litigation. Paternity cases for business owners, medical professionals, and high-asset families are important in not only defining parental responsibility but also long-term financial security for the child.

Bundy Law’s professionals possess the necessary knowledge and experience to manage complicated paternity issues carefully while safeguarding your familial relationships and future. Call our office today to book a no-obligation consultation.