Paternity

Denver Paternity Action Attorneys

Paternity is a more complex area of the law than most people might think. It affects not only the father’s obligation to support his child, but also his right to have visitation.

At the Law Offices of W. Robert Montgomery in Denver, our lawyers assist mothers in filing a paternity action in order to receive child support. We also file these actions on behalf of fathers who want the right to see their child on a regular basis.

How Paternity Is Established

The paternity action is initiated with the filing of a petition and summons. If both parents do not agree on a child’s paternity, the court will then order a DNA test. Courts can also order a DNA test to disestablish paternity if a man thinks he is not the biological father of a child he is supporting.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

Once the birth parents are identified, the court will proceed with establishment of decision-making authority, parenting time and child support, based on what is in the best interest of the child. In Colorado, this is known as the “allocation of parental responsibilities.”

Parental responsibilities include decision-making authority for issues such as education, medical care and religious upbringing.

Child support is calculated using a formula that considers income of the parties, health insurance premiums, day care costs, the child’s primary residence and the number of overnight visits the child has with the dad.