{"id":376652,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:00","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-paternity-suits.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:38","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:38","slug":"texas-paternity-suits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-paternity-suits.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Paternity Suits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Paternity Suits<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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Many child support and child custody cases require a parent to prove the paternity of a child. This can either be by the parent requesting support, or by a parent who wants to maintain a legal relationship with their child. Although this process is similar throughout the country, Texas has some unique differences parents should be aware of. If you are going through a paternity case or if you anticipate needing to establish paternity, the following article answers some basic questions about establishing paternity in Texas.<\/p>\n

What is a paternity suit?<\/h2>\n

This is a lawsuit to determine a legal biological parent.<\/p>\n

Under what circumstances is a paternity suit filed?<\/h2>\n

A parentage suit is filed to determine the biological father or mother of the child. A lawsuit will only arise when there is disagreement about paternity<\/a>, or when one parent has been uncooperative when trying to establish paternity outside the court process.<\/p>\n

Who may file a paternity suit?<\/h2>\n

Generally, the mother, a man claiming to be the father, the child (either individually or through a representative), or a governmental agency. Mothers and government agencies usually try to establish paternity<\/a> in order to collect child support. Fathers and children use generally use paternity suits in order to maintain their legal relationship.<\/p>\n

When can someone sue for paternity?<\/h2>\n

Unlike some other states, if the child does not already have a presumed father, a paternity suit can be brought at any time in Texas<\/a>, even after the child is an adult. If the child has a presumed father, however, the paternity suit must be brought within four years of the child’s birth, unless:<\/p>\n