Making the effort to formally establish paternity is about much more than just a monthly child support check. Consider that:
- Every child has the right to know and be known by his or her father.
- When you establish paternity, your child also gains legal benefits, including:
- The right to benefit financially from the birth father.
In addition to potentially receiving regular child support, your child has a legal right to death benefits - including social security or Veteran's benefits, in addition to any possible inheritance - in the event of the birth father's death. Choosing not to formally establish paternity results in the loss of these potential financial benefits for the child. - Access to the father's medical history.
Establishing paternity allows your child to potentially be informed of any genetic medical issues that could have been passed on from the birth father.
