Protecting Rights for Mothers, Fathers, and Children Across the Triangle
When a child is born to a married woman, the husband is presumed to be the child’s father. When an unmarried woman gives birth, however, the picture is not always so clear.
A paternity action is the legal process for determining the identity of a child’s father. Establishing paternity opens the door for a number of issues to be resolved:
In North Carolina, there are three ways of establishing paternity:
Through marriage: When a child is born within a marriage, or the parents get married after the child is born, the putative husband is legally presumed to be the father.
By signing an affidavit of parentage: If the mother and putative father both sign an affidavit of parentage, the putative father will assume the rights and responsibilities of fatherhood.
Affirming parenthood in court: If the putative father denies that he is the biological father and does not sign an affidavit of parentage, the matter can be resolved in court. This often involves the court ordering a DNA test.
Regardless of your situation, our lawyers are here to provide you with experienced guidance throughout the paternity process.
Once paternity is established, the following legal changes occur:
At Ellis Family Law we focus on the whole picture, not just the here and now. We make sure to pair each client with the best fit for them so that the process is as comfortable as possible. With multiple specialists with over 100 years combined experience throughout the Triangle, you can rest assured your case is being handled with the expertise it deserves.
Until paternity is established, an unmarried father has no rights to custody or visitation. Establishing paternity is required to give a father the right to petition a court for custody.
Shannon Tucker helped me achieve an exceptional result in my case, and her services were well worth the cost. She is highly experienced, competent, knowledgeable, and savvy. Throughout the process,...
Shannon Tucker helped me achieve an exceptional result in my case, and her services were well worth the cost. She is highly experienced, competent, knowledgeable, and savvy. Throughout the process, I felt that my case was in capable hands. If you are looking for an attorney who knows what she is doing and will take good care of you, I highly recommend Shannon Tucker.
Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
...Tremendously helpful, responsibly aggressive in an advisory capacity. Fortunate to have been referred to Kathleen.
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and...
Kathleen and her team are excellent. She is straightforward, professional, and gives honest advice, even when it isn’t what you want to hear. She focuses on your best interests and helps you work through a difficult process. I appreciate her guidance and the team’s support. Highly recommend.
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law, I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of...
Dear Shannon Tucker and Ellis Family Law,
I truly cannot say enough good things about Shannon and her team. Going through a custody battle involving my son was one of the most stressful and emotional situations I’ve ever faced, and having Shannon in my corner gave me an incredible amount of peace of mind.
From the beginning, I trusted her completely. Even with an incredibly short notice with my request for help, Shannon handled every aspect of my case tactfully, professionally, and with genuine care. She was an incredible negotiator, always made sure I understood what was happening and when/why it was happening, and most importantly, made sure I felt comfortable with every decision along the way.
In a situation that naturally comes with so much stress and uncertainty, Shannon took a tremendous amount of that weight off my shoulders. I knew she was fighting for what mattered most to me and that I could trust her judgment every step of the way.
Calling her a lifesaver honestly feels like an understatement. I will always be grateful for what Shannon did for me and my family. If you are looking for an attorney who is professional, compassionate, trustworthy, and someone you genuinely want in your corner, I cannot recommend Shannon and Ellis Family Law highly enough.
Five stars without hesitation, thank you so much!
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job!...
I had a civil matter that two attorneys from different firms had handled very poorly. I engaged the services of Kathleen Murphy at Ellis and she did an exceptional job! My only regret is I didn’t meet her years ago
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations...
I was able to enjoy the professional and capable hands of a superior attorney. She made an ugly situation bearable. She was able to get things for me in negotiations that I’d only hoped for. I couldn’t be happier with the results of my divorce.
Establishing paternity is often the first step in a broader family law matter.
Thoughtful advocacy for parenting arrangements that protect your children and preserve what matters most.
Clear, informed guidance on establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support with care and precision.
Experienced, compassionate guidance through one of the most serious and sensitive family law matters.
And for a fun twist: don’t miss our “Pour Decisions” section, featuring wine tips from our lawyer-wine specialist Gray Ellis!
