A paternity action will decide who should be paying for the support, and how much the parents should be paying.
Paternity action is one way to identify who are the biological parents of the child especially when the child is born out of wedlock.
When a child is born with an unmarried parents the mother has sole legal and physical custody until a court order says differently. The unmarried father will not have the custody or the visitation rights of the child.
For the divorced couple, the custody is equal to both parties if there is no court order to whom the child will be given. If the father wants the custody of the child he may file a paternity action.

Establishing Paternity
A child’s paternity is important and is especially important regarding:
• Issues of the child’s legitimacy
• Issues of inheritance and rights to a Father’s title or surname
• The biological Father’s rights to custody, and
• Obligations to support the child.
Paternity Lawsuit
If a father is not married to the mother, he can sign a voluntary acknowledgment as a father of the child. But if the parents separated and is into the child custody. A DNA test will be conducted if the father wants to have the child. If the father is certain that he is the father of the child and wants to hold for a custody of the child or may have the visitation rights. A father can file a paternity lawsuit.

The fastest and most accurate way of establishing paternity is through DNA testing. It is typically ninety-nine percent (99%) accurate.
Visitation
An estranged father can also file for paternity action if he wishes to have a custodial or visitation rights with his child.

There is no equitable dissolution in a paternity proceeding just like there’s no alimony in a paternity proceeding. Paternity is limited to things dealing with the children. In that regard, a paternity action and a divorce action are exactly the same. As with any area of the law, a person whose name is not on the house, is not necessarily completely out of luck.

Paternity actions are complicated. Even if prosecutors initiate the case, they are only interested in establishing paternity and child support to reimburse the state. If you are seeking for custody or parenting time, they will not be of any help. Thus, you need someone who has who has extensive knowledge in paternity, custody, parenting time and child support.

The attorneys at Van Tubergen, Treutler & Hayes, PLLC in Grand Haven, Holland and West Michigan will give you an experienced counsel and will help you win your case. Call 616-844-3000 for free initial consultation.