Larry O. Brockman, Attorney at Law
Larry O. Brockman
Attorney at Law
Sole Practitioner Location: Swansea, Illinois
Paternity Law
In Illinois, the legislature has adopted the "Parentage Act" with the central goal of establishing a parent-child relationship.
A paternity action is commenced by the filing of a petition to declare the existence of a father and child relationship and be brought by the child, the mother, a pregnant woman, any person or public agency who has custody of or is providing financial assistance to the child, a man presumed to be the father of the child or a man alleging himself to be the child's father, either before or after the birth of a child. (750 ILCS 45/5)
Often, the identification of the father of the child can be difficult. In those cases, the Court or any other party may request DNA testing for inherited traits. Such testing is usually performed by a Court appointed expert qualified as an examiner of blood or tissue types who will determine the testing procedures.
It is important to ascertain parentage so that the issues of support, custody and visitation can be decided. Without an Order specifying paternity, a father will have no legal rights to visitation, custody or any other matter related to the minor child.
Therefore, it is important that a judicial determination be made to establish the father/child relationship. Likewise, the biological mother of the child is not entitled to child support until the Court determines the father/child relationship.
It is essential in these types of situation that mothers and/or fathers consult my office so we can proceed to protect your rights as a father or a mother with regard to a parentage action.
Larry O. Brockman, Ltd.
5 Executive Woods Court
Swansea, IL 62226
Phone: 618-233-5052
Fax: 618-233-5396
